Since it was founded 68 years ago, when Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa and Sudan established the Confederation of African Football in Khartoum, Caf has never found itself in the cash flush it is now experiencing.
Mismanagement of funds and poor governance by several leaders led the African football governing body on a merry dance to virtual bankruptcy.
But since Patrice Motsepe stepped into the corridors of power in the Cairo-based organisation, the parliament of continental football has moved from its pauper status to a plush financial footing that will see it post a profit of $9m (R158.7m) for the first time in eight years.
When Motsepe assumed the presidency in 2021, Caf finances were a mess — $140m (R2.47bn) in the red.
The coffers have been significantly boosted by the business acumen of the South African billionaire, such that last weekend it announced it had shortlisted two companies for its $1bn (R17.64bn) broadcast rights.
The evolution to a strong financial position is important for Caf on many fronts. With its 54 member associations, it is the biggest of the six confederations that constitute the world football controlling body Fifa.
Over the years Caf got the short end of the stick, as bad business decisions led to its failure to command the rightful revenue from its properties. Motsepe’s turnaround strategy is raising it to enjoy the same status as the rest of the bodies sitting at Fifa's top table.
Talented footballers should find it easy to play in Africa because the money is as good as what is offered by the European leagues they are usually drawn to
Crucially the money that comes into its coffers no longer lines the pockets of officials who treated it like a feeding trough. Instead it has been reinvested back into the sport, increasing the prize money across the men’s and women’s competitions, including headliners like the Africa Cup of Nations and its women's version.
Furthermore, the riches have been invested in building world-standard infrastructure to enable countries to host international matches such as Afcon and World Cup qualifiers.
As things stand, Lesotho will on Friday “host” their home 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein. What is supposed to be an away clash for Hugo Broos’s men will instead be contested in Bafana’s back yard — Lesotho forfeited their home advantage because Maseru lacks a venue that meets Caf and Fifa levels.
The economic boom will assist Caf to level the playing field on the facilities front.
Caf should spearhead a drive that will ultimately keep the best playing talent plying their trade in the continent. Instead of exporting the likes of Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, Riyad Mahrez of Algeria, Senegal’s Sadio Mane and South Africa’s Lyle Foster, these talented footballers should find it easy to play in Africa because the money is as good as what is offered by the European leagues they are usually drawn to.
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