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CAF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION UPDATE: CEREMONY OF AFRICAN UNITY CELEBRATED IN NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA
Initially four election rivals, but now united in one purpose, Jacques Anouma, Patrice Motsepe, Augustin Senghor and Ahmed Yahya have together agreed in Rabat, Morocco, and confirmed at a ceremony of African unity held at the Palais des Congrès in Nouakchott, Mauritania, a proposed new direction for CAF and African football for the future.
In the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, several FIFA Council and CAF Executive Committee members, as well as more than 20 presidents of African member associations, the four leaders have reiterated that what unites them is much stronger than what could potentially divide them.
This was the reason it was decided that they should join forces and form a team under the leadership of Patrice Motsepe in the lead up to the CAF presidential elections which are scheduled to take place on Friday 12 March in Rabat, Morocco.
The basis of a common programme, inspired on the initial manifesto of the four candidates is being shaped, and will include contributions of all African member associations and stakeholders in a participatory and inclusive process.
“I am delighted that FIFA has been able to contribute, even if just a little, to this crucial moment for football on this great continent,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino following the event.
“The agreement reached by the candidates is a strong signal for Africa, and also for the world. Africa is present and is a key player for the future of global football.
“This is also a sign of unity and commitment in bringing African football to the very top level where it should be. A united Africa behind a concrete vision and project is stronger. United we are stronger. This is what we were hearing from the African member associations in the last weeks, so I am sure they are also very happy at this moment.
“ There are some great challenges ahead, but also great opportunities, and I guarantee FIFA’s support and encouragement to fulfil them, especially in line with FIFA Forward objectives related to infrastructure investment, good governance, development and competitions.”
Patrice Motsepe, the remaining candidate for the CAF presidency, said: “African football needs collective wisdom, but also the exceptional talent and wisdom of every president of every country and every member association.
“That’s what gives me confidence. When we all work together with the experience, talent, and passion, football in Africa will experience success and growth that it hasn’t experienced in the past. It requires all of us.
“Football has a unique contribution to make,” he added. “The most popular players are from Africa. Africa has proven over and over and over again that we have God-given talent amongst the players on this continent.
“The male, youth players and the women players as well are coming to the fore. It’s wonderful to have good plans and ideas, it’s even more wonderful to have passion.
“Our objective must be that one of the countries will win the World Cup. I think it will happen soon. The talent is there. Continuous investment in youth and academies and making competitions globally competitive will be key. We do need the private sector to get involved with financial resources.
“The commitment to improve and continue to invest is there and the governance transparency is an excellent foundation.”
Mr Motsepe’s enthusiasm was also matched by Ahmed Yahya, the Mauritanian Football Federation (FFRIM) President, who hosted the event on the day of the 2021 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations final.
“We are here to be united, and to be together for the progress of African football,” he said. “When I started my campaign, ‘Together, for African football’, I truly believed in it, and that we really had to work together.
“I had to put my knowledge, my know-how and my dynamism at the service of African football. I had no problem sitting down at the table with my candidate friends to discuss a common agenda. No one forced it on us. Each of us is autonomous. But it was a good initiative, as it was the solution to get together, to work together, and to look for a better future for African football, without it being a question of positions.
“We discussed our programmes and we decided to create a common one. So this is a common programme that will make African football better.”
For Jacques Anouma, the former president of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), the new partnership offers a unity that has hitherto escaped Africa. “I am happy to be here with you to celebrate the unity of the African football family,” he said.
“It is a decision that was discussed between the four of us, and the position from the start was to ensure that we go for unity in this election, because we were already tired enough of everything that was said about CAF.
“This unity was built around a common programme that we all wanted. I fully share this idea of getting together, of sharing our experiences and our intelligence. It would be a good thing for our common passion. I fully support this initiative and encourage it.”
Augustin Senghor, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), also looked forward to the challenges that come ahead, and the new path for African football.
“I would like to thank you for having accepted that I am one of yours and especially that we are going towards this adventure which may tomorrow change the face of CAF,” he said. “Once it’s decided, it’s decided. We will be behind the chosen one, Patrice, to help him succeed, not for him, but for all of African football.”
-FIFA
UEFA appears poised for an emergency vote on suspending Israel from European competition next week, with national federations scrambling to position themselves amid mounting political pressure following calls for action.
The brewing crisis intensified this week when United Nations experts called for Israel’s suspension from international football amid the unfolding genocide in occupied Palestinian territory.
A source confirmed that Europe’s soccer body could potentially decide next week to vote on whether to suspend Israel from European competition.
Should UEFA vote to ban Israel, it would put the organisation on a collision course with the government of the United States — co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup — which is vehemently against such a motion.
“We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup,” a spokesperson for the U.S. state department told Sky News.
But even though UEFA has the power to suspend Israel or its clubs from their competitions, it may not be able to stop them from competing in World Cup qualifiers, which fall under the ambit of global soccer body FIFA.
The general secretaries of all UEFA national associations are meeting this week in Marbella, where Israel is not officially on the agenda, but officials expect UEFA to call an emergency vote next week.
FIFA did not respond to a Reuters request for comment while UEFA declined to comment.
Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub said Israelis should not be allowed to participate in any matches, whether they are under UEFA or FIFA.
“Israel has violated the principles, values and FIFA’s statutes. Therefore, I believe that Israel should be sanctioned,” Rajoub told TV2.
“The sanctions should come from UEFA and FIFA.”
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Israel’s national team are set to face Norway and Italy, the top two teams in their World Cup qualifying group, next month.
“We don’t have any indications that we are facing such an act (UEFA suspension),” a spokesperson for the Israel Football Association told Reuters.
“We are focusing on our international matches against Norway and Italy.”
Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) is one of the member associations that have been the driving force behind calling for a meeting on the Israel situation. The NFF declined to comment.
Lise Klaveness, the president of the NFF and a member of the UEFA Executive Committee, has also been vocal about the crisis in Gaza ahead of her country’s home game against Israel on October 11.
“Neither we nor other organisations can remain indifferent to the humanitarian suffering and disproportionate attacks that the civilian population in Gaza has been subjected to for a long time,” Klaveness said in a statement last month.
“We want to donate the proceeds (from the game) to a humanitarian organisation that saves lives in Gaza every day and provides active emergency aid on the ground.”
The Dutch football federation (KNVB) said it knows nothing about a vote to suspend Israel.
“As soon as the football association receives a message about this, it will take a position,” the KNVB told Dutch outlet NOS.
Last week, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Israel should be banned from international sports competitions. However, officials from the Spanish FA (RFEF) have kept a low profile on the matter.
Israel maintains that its war is not against the population of Gaza but against the Hamas militant group whose fighters led the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and precipitated the war.
The subsequent war in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 people, according to local health officials.
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A hat-trick from George Agha and a sublime free-kick goal from David Edeh ensured a comfortable start for five-time world champions Nigeria in the WAFU-B U17 Championship, as the Golden Eaglets routed Baby Cheetahs of Benin Republic 4 -1 in Yamoussoukro on Wednesday.
Agha converted from the spot three minutes into the game after Boluwatife Thompson was hacked inside the box.
Edeh displayed fantastic football artistry to score from a free-kick in the 5th minute of the encounter.
The Eaglets were in cruise control as Agha bagged his brace in the 14th minute. The charges of Manu Garba were very dominant with a three-goal advantage.
Warris Soumanou in goal for Benin Republic was caught napping and his error of judgement gave the Eaglets another goal after a beautiful exchange of passes and dribbles between Thompson and Edeh, which set up Agha for his hat-trick in the 32nd minute.
It was raining goals and it was the turn of the Beninoise in the 45th minute, as a low drive from Jeremy Zannou gave the Baby Cheetahs a consolation goal.
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Mohamed Salah’s dramatic stoppage-time penalty ensured Liverpool maintained their winning start to the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at promoted side Burnley on Sunday.
With British record signing Alexander Isak forced to wait for his Liverpool debut having been left out the squad for the trip to Lancashire, the champions struggled to break down a dogged home side in the first half.
After a regroup at the break, the visitors upped the ante in the second half, with Dominik Szoboszlai finally forcing a fine save from Martin Dubravka in the Burnley goal.
Burnley were holding on for a well-earned point with ease, before the ball agonisingly struck substitute Hannibal Mejbri’s arm in the penalty area and Salah slotted the spot kick into the net in the 95th minute to break home hearts.
Liverpool are still to really get going this season, requiring a winner in the last 10 minutes of all four of their league victories so far. The goal that clinched an undeserved success at Turf Moor was certainly the most fortunate.
After one of the longest transfer sagas in Premier League history finally reached its expected conclusion, Liverpool supporters were forced to wait two weeks for their first glimpse of their 125-million-pound ($169.45-million) goal machine due to the international break.
While coach Arne Slot said this week that Isak would have to be utilised carefully due to his previous injuries and lack of action so far this season, the Swede was still expected to at least be on the bench at Turf Moor.
The wait goes on as, without their expensive new forward, Liverpool mustered just one shot on target in the first half, from left-back Andrew Robertson.
Burnley, who conceded the fewest goals in English football league history last term to earn them promotion, otherwise frustrated the champions with ease. Even Lesley Ugochukwu’s red card for two bookings in the 84th minute did not seem to fluster them.
Even without Isak, Liverpool still had much attacking talent on the Turf Moor pitch but they just could not find that killer pass.
Salah was especially below par but he made no mistake in the most pressurised moment after Hannibal had stuck up an arm to block Jeremie Frimpong’s cross
The champions’ impressive Premier League goalscoring streak stretches to 38 games nonetheless, their longest such run in the competition.
-Reuters
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