From the outset, the South African official framed his visit as part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between African federations, following a similar stop in Senegal. He expressed his commitment to working with all stakeholders across the continent to promote balanced and sustainable development of African football.
Addressing the controversies surrounding the AFCON 2025 final, Patrice Motsepe voiced his weariness with the ongoing debates, while noting that the matter is now in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He nevertheless reiterated his belief that this edition remains, in his view, the most successful in the history of the competition, despite the incidents that occurred.
Adopting a conciliatory tone, he called for leaving disputes behind and focusing on a positive dynamic, emphasizing the need to combat all forms of excess, including tensions and discriminatory rhetoric that surfaced after the final.
The CAF president also highlighted the quality of his discussions with Fouzi Lekjaa, describing the meeting as constructive and promising for the future. He notably stressed the importance of uniting efforts ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Referring to the longstanding relations between Morocco and Senegal, he insisted that football must remain a vehicle for bringing people together, regardless of the decisions that may be issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In response to criticism targeting African refereeing, Patrice Motsepe defended match officials, recalling that significant efforts have been made to improve standards, while calling for greater understanding in light of human error.
He also praised the commitment and passion of Moroccan supporters during the tournament, while stressing the importance of looking ahead to upcoming continental and international competitions. Addressing the incidents that occurred during the final, he underlined the need to respect legal procedures and expressed confidence in a calm resolution between the parties involved.
Through this statement, Patrice Motsepe made his objective clear: to turn the page on tensions and rally energies around a shared goal, that of elevating African football to new heights.
Editorial team/le7tv