African football boss Patrice Motsepe has declared he is “absolutely confident” that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will proceed in Morocco, despite days of anti-government protests shaking the North African nation.
Morocco has been rocked by nightly demonstrations for over a week, with thousands of young citizens taking to the streets to demand social reforms, better education, and an end to corruption. The protests have raised concerns about stability just months before the country is set to host Africa’s biggest football event.
Yet Motsepe, speaking in Kinshasa during an annual meeting of African football officials, assured fans and officials that the tournament will go ahead without disruption. “We are absolutely confident the AFCON will go ahead as planned,” he said. “Morocco is plan A, Morocco is plan B, and Morocco is plan C.”
CAF Chief Defies Unrest Confident AFCON 2025 Will Go Ahead in Morocco
Morocco is scheduled to host AFCON 2025 from December 21 to January 18. The event will feature 24 national teams across nine venues, drawing millions of fans from across the continent.
Stars such as Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi are expected to headline the competition.
While some fans worry about the unrest spreading in major Moroccan cities, CAF officials insist that local preparations remain on schedule. Motsepe emphasized that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will work closely with Moroccan authorities to ensure safety for players, fans, and staff.
“CAF will cooperate and work with the government and all the citizens of Morocco to host the most successful AFCON in history,” Motsepe said. His comments came in the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, signaling strong international backing for the event.
Morocco last hosted the AFCON in 1988, back when the tournament featured only eight teams. The country was also slated to host in 2015 but withdrew over concerns about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Motsepe Pushes for Revival of African Football League
During the same gathering, Motsepe also confirmed that CAF is determined to revive the African Football League (AFL). The league had been launched with much promise but collapsed in 2023 after a single, scaled-down edition.
The inaugural AFL featured only eight teams instead of the original 24, with fewer matches and reduced prize money. Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa ultimately won the shortened competition.
“There are ongoing discussions. We are very happy about the progress made,” Motsepe said. “The African Football League is very important and it will continue.”
The AFL was designed to elevate African club football to global standards, providing greater visibility, revenue, and competition for local teams. Its revival could significantly boost the financial standing of African football clubs, many of which continue to struggle with limited resources.
CAF Finances Rebound Under Motsepe’s Leadership
When Motsepe took over in 2021, CAF was deep in financial trouble. His predecessor, Ahmad Ahmad, had been banned by FIFA for multiple violations, including abuse of power and misappropriation of funds.
Since then, CAF’s finances have shown remarkable improvement. During the Kinshasa meeting, officials announced a net profit of $9.48 million for the 2023–2024 financial year and projected a surplus of $28.45 million for the coming year.
“We have been enormously successful in the last five years. Revenues have quadrupled,” Motsepe said. “Zero tolerance for bribery and corruption is important. All the money goes into football development.”
He also revealed that CAF has doubled financial support for member associations, allowing more investment in local talent and infrastructure. “We want to pay players more and help our national teams. Football must develop and grow in Africa,” he added.
Motsepe further announced that clubs failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup group stages will receive $100,000 each to help cover transportation and operational costs. “It is not enough, but it helps,” he said.
AFCON 2025 Symbol of African Unity Amid Political Turmoil
For many Africans, AFCON is more than a football tournament—it is a unifying event that transcends borders, politics, and religion. Despite the current unrest, the 2025 edition in Morocco could serve as a symbol of hope and resilience for the continent.
Motsepe’s confidence reflects not only CAF’s determination to maintain stability but also Africa’s ability to celebrate sport even amid political uncertainty. With Morocco’s preparations ongoing and international support behind the scenes, all eyes are now on Rabat to deliver a safe and successful tournament.
