AFCON
CAF President’s Club, Sundowns Is South Africa Bafana Bafana’s Backbone –
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
South Africa presented a closely-knitted and formidable side to get to their first semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 24 years.
Paradoxically, it is the same team they last met in the semi-finals that they are facing again as they are pitched against their major rivals in the continent, the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
When they last met at the semi-finals, the Super Eagles almost effortlessly prevailed, 2-0 with all the two goals scored in the first minute and then in the 34th minute. Thanks to the brace of the pacey Tijani Babangida who exploited the sluggishness of Mark Fish in the South African defence.
But things and time have changed. Bafana Bafana are now closely knitted around one club – Mamelodi Sundowns owned by the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe.
The CAF president’s investment in the club has not been in vein. Apart from winning the inaugural African Football League, the women’s sides are also the champions for the second time in the CAF Women’s League.
Dubbed as ‘Brazil of Africa’ on account of their yellow shirts over sky blue shorts, the club is not just the rave of the moment in South Africa, it has threatened the old order of continental inter-clubs competition.
The club which won the inaugural edition of the African Football League, is the engine room of Bafana Bafana. Ten members of the club make up the 27-man squad of South Africa.
Nine of them featured in Saturday’s energy-sapping clash with Cape Verde as they book their ticket to play against the Super Eagles. The nine include the Man-of-Match and captain, Rowen Williams.
Till date, like Nigeria’s Stanley Mwabali who also plays in the South African football league, Williams has had four clean sheets in a row. He has also set a rcord of stopping four penalties during the tie-breaking shoot-out.
In fact, in recent matches, the entire back four of South Africa is composed of players from Mamelodi Sundowns which Billionaire Motsepe bought nearly 20 years ago.
Seven of the Mamelodi Sundowns players were starters in that match while two others came in as substitutes.
Statistically, Mamelodi Sundowns holds the record of present the most players at the AFCON 2023.
This is coming in an era where most countries rely heavily on players based in Europe.
This is where the South African squad stands out.
It is an indication of the strength of their domestic league as well as the economy. Having the bulk of the players from the domestic league put their coach, the Belgian Hugo Broos at great advantage over other coaches.
He had more time to build a closely knitted squad who can find each other even with their eyes closed on the pitch.
Mamelodi Sundown players that featured at the quarter finals
- Rowen Williams – Goalkeeper/captain
- GomolemoKekana -Defender
- Thapelo Morena -Defender
- Khuliso Mudau-Defender
- ThembaZwane, striker
- Thapelo Maseko – Defender, a 63rdminute sub for Thapelo Morena
- Terrence Mashego– Defender, a 115th minute sub for Thapelo Maseko
- Nyiko Mobbie- Defender, a 103rd minute sub for Khuliso Mudau.
- Jayden Adams – Midfielder, a 91stminute sub for Themba Zwane
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe would welcome an investigation into corruption at the organisation, saying they have nothing to hide following a meeting with Senegalese officials in Dakar on Wednesday.
Senegal’s government last month demanded an investigation into corruption after the country was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title by the CAF Appeal Board, and the trophy was awarded to the final opponents, Morocco.
It follows unruly scenes in the January 18 decider in Rabat that Senegal won 1-0, but during which they left the field for several minutes in protest at a late refereeing decision.
Motsepe met with officials from the Senegalese Football Federation and Senegal president Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Wednesday, where he urged unity following the fallout from the final. He will be in Morocco on Thursday for a similar set of meetings.
“I would welcome any investigation into corruption at CAF, be it by a government or any institution,” Motsepe told reporters. “In fact, I would encourage it. We will give them our full cooperation.
“I have been told there were problems in the past and we intervened. It is not just in football, but in business and politics too. We cannot give our children the perception that if you want to succeed in life, be corrupt. There has to be zero tolerance (for corruption).
“That’s the best gift we can give football in Africa. Not just talking about corruption, but intervene, put the necessary laws in place) and implement them.”
Motsepe would not be drawn on the matter between Senegal and Morocco, which is now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“There is nothing I can tell you that I haven’t said already 10, 15, 20 times. You can ask me the same question 100 times, I’ll give you the same answer 100 times. I have an obligation to respect that the matter is now in front of the highest (sports) court in the world.”
Motsepe quashed any suggestion that Morocco had been treated favourably in the appeal process.
“Under no circumstances will any single country in Africa be treated more preferentially or more favourably than any other. That will never happen,” he said.
“We are confident we will come out of these challenges more united amongst the 54 nations in Africa.”
-Reuters
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By Kunle Solaja.
Patrice Motsepe has intensified his diplomatic shuttle across African football corridors with a crucial visit to Morocco scheduled for Thursday, as the fallout from the controversial AFCON 2025 Final continues to reverberate across the continent.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that Motsepe will meet with Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), alongside other key stakeholders within Morocco’s football ecosystem.
Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)
The high-level engagement in Rabat comes barely 24 hours after Motsepe’s crisis-management visit to Senegal, underlining CAF’s urgency in addressing the tensions and conflicting reports that have trailed the AFCON final.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on fact-finding, reconciliation, and institutional alignment following the chaotic circumstances that marred the tournament’s climax. The Moroccan FA has been central to the unfolding controversy, with administrative and refereeing decisions from the final still under scrutiny.
CAF disclosed that the visit will conclude with a press conference in Rabat at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), where Motsepe is expected to address the media and possibly provide updates on CAF’s ongoing review of the final.
While details of the agenda remain closely guarded, the visit signals a continuation of Motsepe’s hands-on approach to crisis resolution, engaging directly with national federations in a bid to preserve the integrity of African football competitions.
CAF and the FRMF have indicated that further details regarding the outcomes of the visit will be communicated in due course, as stakeholders across the continent await clarity on one of the most contentious finals in recent AFCON history.
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CAF President Patrice Motsepe is set to visit Senegal on Wednesday for high-level talks with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the leadership of the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, in what is widely seen as a crucial diplomatic move amid lingering controversy over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
The visit comes against the backdrop of the chaotic and disputed AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, a match marred by heavy rainfall, administrative confusion, and conflicting official reports from within CAF and its committees.
The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of that final has cast a shadow over African football governance, prompting urgent calls for clarity and institutional accountability.
Sources indicate that Motsepe’s meeting with President Faye will extend beyond routine courtesy, touching on broader issues of football governance, tournament integrity, and the role of national associations in safeguarding the credibility of continental competitions.
Senegal, a major stakeholder in African football and one of the continent’s most influential football nations, is expected to play a key role in shaping the narrative going forward.
Motsepe will also hold discussions with Abdoulaye Fall, focusing on collaboration between CAF and its member associations, as well as mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of the controversies that plagued the AFCON final.
While CAF has yet to officially outline the agenda, observers believe the visit signals an attempt by the continental body to consolidate support among key football nations and manage the fallout from the final’s unresolved issues.
The optics of engaging directly with political leadership further underline the seriousness of the situation.
CAF and the Senegalese Football Federation have both stated that more details regarding the visit will be released in due course, leaving stakeholders across the continent watching closely for signals on how African football’s governing body intends to restore confidence in its competitions.
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