Stadium issue: Motsepe says Caf can help raise funds so national teams play at home

In recent years, many national teams in Africa have been forced to play their home matches outside their countries as the Confederation of African Football has tightened stadium compliance. Caf president Patrice Motsepe wants this to stop. 

Speaking after announcing Africa Global Logistics (AGL) as the official logistics supplier for Caf in Sandton on Wednesday, Motsepe said he would be lobbying governments to invest in stadium infrastructure. He said Caf was making efforts to raise funds and engage global corporations to help fund such projects.

During last month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Eswatini hosted Mauritius at Mbombela Stadium, Zimbabwe took their match against Benin to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, and Namibia hosted Equatorial Guinea at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Some countries in West Africa took their important qualifying matches to Morocco as they could not play at home because their venues were not compliant with stringent Caf and Fifa standards. 

In his first five-year term as president Motsepe addressed the issues of so many grounds becoming obsolete, many from the postcolonial independence era in the 1950s to 1970s, or before, by bringing in minimum requirements implemented by Caf. In his second term, which started with his re-election unopposed in March, the South African mining magnate wants to come to terms with the offshoot issue from those measures — of national teams and clubs having to migrate to neutral venues because infrastructure upgrades were not performed.

“The issue of playing in your country is essential because we cannot develop football in those countries if their national teams and football clubs play their matches outside the country,” said Motsepe

He said he would lobby political leaders to invest in upgrading outdated stadiums or building new ones that met Caf requirements. 

“Part of my visits to various countries over the coming few months is to make a case to some of the governments where there are no stadiums that meet Caf and Fifa standards. 

“I don’t think a good job was done in the past to explain to heads of state and government cabinets why it is beneficial to spend money on a stadium. It is beneficial for the country and for sports.” 

Motsepe said he understood most African countries had socioeconomic issues that needed funding but reiterated that investing in sports infrastructure could be beneficial. 

“I do understand some countries may look and say, 'We have health [issues] and we need to use money to build hospitals, houses or schools, and the budgets are limited.' 

“We are trying to assist with our contribution from Caf and Fifa. That’s why we are trying to get the private sector involved and we are making progress now and we will make more progress in the future.” 

The next Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) takes place in Morocco in December and January and Motsepe expects it to be a huge success.

“I am proud of the hard work and sacrifices that were made to ensure Afcon in Ivory Coast [last year] was an enormous success. I am confident the tournament in Morocco is also going to be successful. 

“The feedback I am already receiving from the preparations that are taking place are encouraging. What I also like is that we have a good chance of ensuring the tournament in Morocco is even more profitable than in Ivory Coast. 

“As I have said on numerous occasions, all the money we hope to make at Afcon in Morocco must go to the 54 member associations for youth football development and infrastructure. Particularly in those countries where they still play football outside their countries because they don’t have a stadium that doesn’t meet Caf and Fifa standards and levels.” 

Caf is busy with junior events, having concluded the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations that was won by hosts Morocco for the first time in their history after defeating two-time winners Mali 4-2 on penalties last weekend. 

The 17th edition of the U-20 Afcon will run from April 27 to May 18, featuring 13 nations and competing across three venues in Cairo, Ismailia and Suez, including South Africa, who kick off their tournament against hosts Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday (8pm SA time). 

Elsewhere, the third edition of the Caf African Schools Football Championship is under way at the University of Ghana and the year will end with a senior Afcon in Morocco, where Ivory Coast will be defending their crown and Bafana Bafana hope to better their third-place finish of the last edition.