Governing Bodies
Motsepe and the challenge of a second CAF cap
BY MITCHELL OBI
As we say in our local parlance jungle don mature…the tiger needs to show its tigritude..Away with the lukewarm comportment of shying from entering the trench.
It was no surprise to see Dr Patrice Motsepe throw his hat into the ring for a second term as CAF President. He has shown good courage of a leader sure of his ability and capacity to seek reaffirmation of his performance. One good term deserves another and some will add that even failure deserves a repeat as it was in our early school days.
The first time he got the nod as CAF President came via acclamation. The coast was made clear for him with the multiple flightn shuttles of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, his principal sponsor. Major contenders had to roll back their posters and swallow the pill of consensus and compromise. It was not easy even as they got compensated to stay within the power corridor to bid their time. That time now seems a bridge too far with Motsepe stealing the thunder of declaring his candidacy in a brave posturing to anticipate any pretender. Infact, the early pretension of the Lion from Yaounde appears to have fizzled out with the sword of damocles dangling before his troubled body of iniquities. Now he needs to check the combustive home front in Yaounde to dare the Sundown Lion. African politics knows how to silence its loudest sons . And lessons remain to be learnt.
One of such lessons is the creeping style of Motsepe which tend to suggest a certain nonchalance in holding office. A billionaire of note, he laughs at the thought of anyone contemplating his quest for power at football’s peak spot in the continent. Yet anyone who has keenly followed his stewardship as CAF President and appreciated his deep investment in it must realise the overriding joy and acquired clout piling up for another enterprise. Motsepe needs the cream from football to sweeten and smoothen his path to political heights in his homeland. It is so typical of those who make toys of bank notes. And emblazoning his name in the minds of passionate football followers in the continent should be a sure step to gain political mileage where it matters. When I see Motsepe’s coloured passion for the game I am forcibly reminded of Nigeria’s MKO Abiola of blessed memory. Abiola was indeed the Pillar of Sports in Africa and he effectively used the vehicle of football to catalyse a rewarding quest for presidential power in Nigeria.
So what do we make of Motsepe’s drive to secure a second mandate? Some have evoked the Ides of March and some have painted the picture of a reluctant candidate.
But the big question is whether Motsepe has done enough to be re-elected. He has gingerly built his style and shifted from the early painting of a stooge of the Zurich Czar.
He has closed the thought of those who think of leadership as a looting window and sprayed a dose of integrity and viability into the continental football body.
A critical assessment and appraisal of his four years may come later. My thrust here is simply an appreciation of the courage to open the gates for next year’s presidential election. Will he go back to his seat unopposed? Is he being pushed into the trench with covering fire from those who are content with the status quo?
One thing is sure. football power is an aphrodisiac. One craves for it like licking bonbons.
Inside Motsepe is the heart of a man enamoured of the charm of CAF President and I dare say a third term will not be a far cry. A miner keeps digging even when he finds gold.
Dr. Mitchell Obi is the immediate past president of AIPS-Africa.
The FIFA Museum in Zurich has launched a new special exhibition titled Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into how innovation is transforming the world’s most popular sport.
Opened on Monday, October 1, 2025, the immersive showcase was developed in collaboration with the FIFA Innovation Team and other departments within world football’s governing body. It explores how cutting-edge technology supports players, referees, and fans—enhancing performance, ensuring fairness, and enriching the overall football experience—while preserving the game’s passion and human spirit.
“What makes this exhibition truly special is that we can give visitors a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes look that allows them to step inside football innovation, experiencing it hands-on rather than just reading about it,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We offer a glimpse at technologies and tools that fans don’t normally get to experience up close, while also showing how innovation has evolved over almost 100 years of FIFA World Cup history.”
Organised around five themed sections — Broadcasting & Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing & Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — the exhibition blends rare artefacts with interactive displays. Visitors can relive football’s broadcast evolution, from the black-and-white footage of the 1954 World Cup to today’s ultra-slow motion 4K replays, and even step into a virtual referee booth to experience the pressures of officiating in real time.
Among the standout features is the FIFA Player App, which allows fans to explore Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance statistics from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, illustrating how data helps players refine their craft.
Another exhibit showcases Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s water bottle from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 — marked with opponents’ penalty data — revealing how analytics influence critical moments.
Visitors can also view a referee body camera used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, giving a fresh perspective on decision-making from the official’s point of view.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with football technology. They can test their reflexes and judgment as referees, operate goal-line technology systems, or assume the role of a broadcast director managing live match feeds. Data enthusiasts can analyse player movements, while aspiring innovators can design their own football tech concepts inside the Innovation Lab.
Innovation in Action runs until 31 March 2026 at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Entry is included with a standard museum ticket.
With its rich mix of storytelling, interactivity, and history, the exhibition promises to be a must-see experience for anyone passionate about the future of the beautiful game.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich where he met Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I met Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino later wrote on Instagram.
“I commend President Rajoub and the PFA for their resilience at this time and I reiterated to him FIFA’s commitment to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.
“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference on Wednesday.
Israel are third in Europe’s Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
-Reuters
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting that its Statutes will be amended at this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), insisting that no such plans are on the table for the September 27 meeting.
In a statement, the Federation stressed that the ongoing conversation around its Statutes remains at a preliminary stage and that suggestions of imminent changes are unfounded.
Ahead of the AGA, the NFF will host a workshop on September 26, bringing together representatives of its members, as well as officials from FIFA and CAF. According to the Federation, the forum is strictly consultative, designed to deliberate on proposals for new Statutes in line with the principles of good governance and international best practices.
The NFF explained that only after consensus is reached with its members will a separate General Assembly be convened to formally consider and adopt any proposed Statute changes.
“The NFF remains committed to due process, transparency, and working hand-in-hand with its General Assembly Members, FIFA, and CAF,” the statement read.
“The ultimate goal is to establish enduring Statutes that will strengthen governance, broaden representation, and promote inclusivity within Nigerian football.”
The Federation added that the long-term reform framework is aimed at ensuring stability and progress across its structures and enhancing the participation of all stakeholders in the country’s football administration.
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