LISTEN! FIFA President Infantino speaks of crucial period for Africa
LISTEN TO EPISODE 16 OF THE COSAFA SHOW HERE!
The latest episode of The COSAFA Show features an exclusive interview with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he outlines the organisation’s plans for Africa and where he sees football on the continent headed in the coming years.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidential elections will be held in Morocco on March 12, with South Africa’s Dr Patrice Motsepe among those bidding for the seat.
Infantino admits that the outcome of those elections will be important in determining a pathway for the game in Africa.
“It is clear that elections are always an important milestone for an organisation like CAF,” he tells The COSAFA Show. “Let us not forget that in 2026 Africa will have nine or 10 (dependent on play-off winners) participants at the World Cup. And in 2023, Africa will have four instead of three participants at the Women’s World Cup.
“Before this, a lot of organisation needs to take place, this means that the period from 2021 to 2025 will be a crucial one for African football, because you want to go to these events and play a protagonist’s role, not just go, play and come back after two or three games.
“You want to compete at the highest level and to do that, the organisation needs to be done in a certain way.
“Reforms need to be implemented, everyone is aware of that, and the unity in the continent needs to be found, backing these projects that go from good governance to infrastructure development, to new competitions, and academy development for young players.
“All of these debates are at the heart of the CAF presidential debate and I would wish the whole continent can unite behind these topics and a strong leadership for Africa.”
Motsepe will be unveiling his 10-point plan for his CAF presidential bid on Thursday, but also outlines his views on what he can bring to the position.
We also hear from FIFA Council seat candidates Walter Nyamilandu from Malawi and Andrew Kamanga from Zambia, as well as Botswana FA President Maclean
Letshwiti and Feizal Sidat on their bids to win a seat on the CAF Executive Committee.