AFCON 2025: Patrice Motsepe’s Controversial Statement!

Arriving in Rabat on Friday, Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), seized the opportunity to express his admiration for Morocco, the host nation of AFCON 2025.

Motsepe was in Morocco to attend the draw for the 2024 Women’s AFCON and the Women’s Champions League final, which will see AS FAR Rabat face TP Mazembe on Saturday at 5 PM GMT—two major events hosted on Moroccan soil. The CAF President didn’t hold back in praising the kingdom, describing it as a place where he feels “at home” and expressing his hope to see the Atlas Lions reach the AFCON final scheduled for January 18, 2026.

“As CAF President, I support all countries, but I would be especially delighted—truly delighted—if Morocco makes it to the AFCON 2025 final, inshallah,” the South African official stated during a press conference alongside Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

Motsepe Clarifies His Remarks

Anticipating potential criticism of favoritism, Patrice Motsepe explained his stance by highlighting Morocco’s significant contributions to African and global football in recent years.

“Being a nation that unites and inspires is a source of pride for all of us—for Morocco and for Africa as a whole. Moroccan football made history in Qatar, and when Morocco reached the semi-finals, it was a proud moment for all of Africa because no one had ever achieved that before. Morocco is among the few countries we know work very, very efficiently,” said the 62-year-old CAF President.

Despite these clarifications, his remarks are likely to spark reactions, particularly in Algeria, where they could fuel suspicions of CAF favoritism toward Morocco.