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The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe and African Club Association (ACA) Chairman Hersi Said have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen African club football. The agreement, signed in Cairo, Egypt, on March 11, 2025, aims to enhance financial support, professional structures, and player development across the continent.
The ACA, launched in November 2023, praised Dr Motsepe for increasing financial backing for African clubs. For the first time, CAF has provided a solidarity fee of USD 50,000 to all clubs that participated in the preliminary stages of the CAF Interclub competitions. Additionally, prize money for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup has been increased by over 40%, demonstrating CAF’s commitment to club football development.
Building a Strong Future for African Football
Under the MoU, CAF and ACA have pledged to:
- Strengthen professional club structures and ensure long-term investment in young African talent.
- Enhance education pathways for players during and beyond their football careers.
- Promote fair play and integrity by tackling issues such as racism, doping, violence, match-fixing, and corruption.
- Encourage stronger national leagues and CAF-organized continental competitions.
- Resolve sports-related disputes through appropriate resolution structures.
ACA recently announced it will establish offices at the King Mohammed VI National Football Academy in Morocco, further underlining its mission to drive professional football growth on the continent.
A Unified Approach for Club and National Team Success
CAF and ACA have agreed to work closely to ensure that both national teams and club football benefit players, leagues, and member associations. By fostering a closer collaboration between African clubs, this partnership aims to elevate the global competitiveness of African football.
ACA Board Members
The ACA Board includes representatives from top clubs across Africa, with key members such as:
- Chairman: Hersi Said (Young Africans, Tanzania)
- Vice Chairpersons: Jessica Motaung (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Paul Bassey (Akwa United, Nigeria)
- Representatives from CECAFA, COSAFA, UNAF, UNIFFAC, WAFU A, and WAFU B
This landmark agreement signifies a new era for African club football, ensuring financial stability, talent development, and a stronger presence in international football.
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