Pretoria, (SA):- The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, will embark on a significant visit to East Africa in December 2024 to assess the progress of preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
The tournament, set to take place in February 2025, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda marking a historic milestone for the region.
Dr Motsepe’s visit will focus on the readiness of stadiums, infrastructure, and facilities in the three host nations, as well as overall preparations for the much-anticipated competition.
The East African nations were awarded the hosting rights for the CHAN tournament following a competitive bidding process, and CAF officials are keen to ensure the event will be a success.
In addition to overseeing the preparations for CHAN 2024, Dr Motsepe will meet with the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) to discuss key issues relating to the growth of African football.
Among the major topics on the agenda will be the CAF’s ambitious strategy to generate US$1 billion for African football over the next eight years, a subject that was highlighted during the 46th CAF Ordinary General Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in October 2024.
Another critical area of discussion will be the ongoing investigation by the Joint Governance and Audit Committee into allegations of governance non-compliance within the CAF Secretariat. This investigation follows concerns raised about transparency and governance practices in the administration of African football.
The CAF President’s trip to East Africa comes at an exciting time for the region, which is also gearing up to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania won the rights to host AFCON 2027 after beating out strong competition from South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Senegal.
This marks the first time in the history of the tournament that three nations will jointly host the prestigious competition, a move that reflects the growing football infrastructure and passion for the game in East Africa.
During his visit, Dr Motsepe will also keep a close eye on preparations for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted in Morocco following the withdrawal of Algeria. Morocco, the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists, will become the first African nation to host the competition since Egypt’s victory in 1976, when Ethiopia served as the host.
Before heading to East Africa, Dr. Motsepe will attend the final of the CAF Women’s Champions League in El Jadida, Morocco, on November 23, 2024.
He will also be present at the draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024, which is scheduled to take place on November 22, 2024, in Rabat. The tournament will be held in July 2025, and Dr Motsepe’s attendance at both events underscores CAF’s continued commitment to the growth of women’s football across the continent.
After his East African visit, Dr Motsepe will attend the CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16, 2024. The awards ceremony is set to celebrate the best of African football, recognizing standout players, coaches, and teams for their performances over the past year.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
