CAF Confident AFCON 2025 Will Hold in Morocco Despite Ongoing Protests

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has expressed full confidence that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will go ahead as planned in Morocco, despite ongoing anti-government protests across the country.

For over a week, thousands of young Moroccans have demonstrated daily, demanding an end to corruption, better health and education services, and greater social equality.

The continental tournament is scheduled to take place from December 21 to January 18 across nine Moroccan cities, featuring 24 national teams. Among the star players expected are Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain.

Speaking at the annual assembly of African football leaders in Kinshasa, Motsepe declared:

“We (CAF) are absolutely confident the AFCON will go ahead as planned. Morocco is plan A, Morocco is plan B, and Morocco is plan C.”

He added that CAF would work closely with Moroccan authorities and citizens “to host the most successful AFCON in history.”

Morocco last hosted the AFCON in 1988, when it was still an eight-team tournament. The country later withdrew from hosting the 2015 edition due to Ebola virus concerns.

Motsepe Reaffirms Plans to Revive African Football League

Motsepe also confirmed efforts to relaunch the African Football League (AFL), which was discontinued in 2023 after one scaled-down edition. Originally envisioned as a 24-team competition with record prize money, the AFL’s first season featured only eight teams, with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns crowned champions.

“There are ongoing discussions. We are very happy about the progress made. The African Football League is very important and it will continue,” Motsepe said, without disclosing further details.

Since assuming leadership of CAF in 2021 following the suspension of former president Ahmad Ahmad, Motsepe has overseen a financial turnaround for the organization. CAF reported a net profit of $9.48 million for the 2023–24 fiscal year and projects a surplus of $28.45 million for the next cycle.

“We have been enormously successful in the last five years. Revenues have quadrupled. Zero tolerance of bribery and corruption is important. All the money goes into football development,” Motsepe said.

He noted that member associations now receive double their previous allocations and reaffirmed CAF’s commitment to increasing payments to players and supporting national teams.

“We give $100,000 to each club that does not qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. It is not enough, but it helps with transport and other things,” he added.

Opinion Nigeria News