Qatar 2022: Motsepe-Led CAF Accompany Morocco To Historic Semi-Final Slot

The Confederation of African Football Chief, Patrice Motsepe has become the first CAF president to see the institution’s affiliate member – make the last four of the World Cup, in only the second year of his first term.

From the legend of Abdel Aziz Abdallah (first CAF president), to the iconic stature of Issa Hayatou, non of the 7 previous CAF presidents have achieved this feat.

Prior and indeed in the course of the global football show-piece, CAF has come under great scrutiny for its financial ineptitude by football critics.

However, the 60-year-old South African – has been ‘nai-to-finger’ close to all African selections from when the tourney started on November 20. The erstwhile president of Mamelodi Sundowns visited each of the 5 African Ambassadors, including Morocco, with wise words.

“Africa awaits this Moroccan team, alongside others”, he said at the Abdullah bin Khalifa stadium in Al-Duhail, alongside the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa.

Since then, Motsepe and his team have been in the thick of the action following games from the teams on the continent.

Videos of an anxious CAF president emerged in Morocco’s on-the-edge penalty shootout against Spain, and he was simply kicking every ball from his position at the stands.

After CAF’s 43rd General Assembly on March 12, 2021 in Rabat, where Dr . Patrice Motsepe was elected president, he emphasized on improving African football globally.

“I’m very excited. There is a great deal of urgency in getting things done. There is a going to be a lot of work and a lot of running. We have to make sure that African football is not just competitive but globally successful.”

Morocco’s clash against ‘Le Blues’ on Wednesday Dec. 14 could make Motsepe’s second year as CAF boss even more special.