The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has hit back at critics that the change of the Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle is not in the best interest of African football.
In the official closing press conference, which proved to be a heated one with media probing at the new direction of CAF, which stems from his announcement four weeks ago that AFCON will no longer be a binneal event.
The introduction of the Africa Nations League will take it’s place over the next years, which Motsepe suggested will bring more revenue for Member Assocation in Africa and with a staggering $10-million prize money for the overall winner.
Reports have emanated during the tournament that the decision was taken without the consent of the MA’s which Motsepe vehemently denied and expressed major confidence that the format, which will be a regionally hosted every year besides the World Cup qualifying year.
Games are set to run through the September, October, November FIFA windows, and eventually one venue to host the finals involving the CAF Zone Champions of CECAFA, COSAFA, WAFU A, WAFU B, UNAF and UNIFFAC
“It has taken us four years to be where we are. We took a unanimous decision in CAF 100%. I am the one that had to be convinced over the last three years for this change. The African Super League, we started a pilot with club football and it went well but [the next] did not proceed because the partners that were given us money did not give us what we were happy with,” Dr Motsepe said.
“We have significantly increased the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup prize monies. The 54 nations in Africa who know football much better than those who are not in the day-to-day involvement.
“We are absolutely satisfied. The revenue of the AFCON is significantly less than the revenue we have implemented for the African Nations League. We are absolutely convinced.
“We run Africa for Africa and our job is to listen to people like yourself. When i became President, Member Associations have gone from receiving $150,000 to $400,000. I am confident results of what we are doing will speak for themselves.”