Patrice Motsepe: “Morocco has given Africa the best AFCON ever organized”
Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), stated with confidence that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will go down as the best edition in the history of the competition. Speaking at a press conference in Rabat on the eve of the final between Morocco and Senegal, he highlighted the exceptional quality of the organization, praising modern infrastructure and a logistical framework that meets the highest international standards.
According to Motsepe, the success of AFCON 2025 rests on several key pillars, including ultra-modern stadiums, high-quality training facilities, efficient transport networks and hotel capacities suited to an event of continental scale. These elements provided optimal conditions for teams, officials and supporters, strengthening the global image of African football.
On this occasion, the CAF President expressed his sincere gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. He emphasized that the commitment of the Moroccan authorities played a decisive role in the success of this AFCON, reflecting a long-term vision for sporting and infrastructural development.
Patrice Motsepe also stressed that infrastructure development is an essential condition for the growth of African football. He reaffirmed his ambition to see the continent’s football reach the highest global level, while expressing his hope that Africa’s five regions will one day be able to host the AFCON, provided they meet the required standards.
In addition, the CAF President announced that the African Nations League will be held in 2029 with the participation of all 54 African countries. This new competition, organized during FIFA international windows, will feature the continent’s best players and adopt a zonal format, followed by a final phase between the winners of each zone, promising prestigious and highly anticipated fixtures.
Finally, Motsepe defended the decision to organize the AFCON every four years, considering it to be in the best interest of African football and taken with full independence. He underlined the trust placed in African referees and reiterated that all countries must be treated equally, calling on Africans to believe in their own decisions and in their ability to build a strong and autonomous sporting future.