Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has called for calm and unity amid the growing crisis within world football’s governing body, insisting that the FIFA presidential election in March 2027 should provide the appropriate platform for members to determine the organisation’s direction.

Speaking in Salzburg around the UEFA Super Cup, Motsepe said the current disagreements should not descend into prolonged internal conflict, urging all sides to respect FIFA’s electoral and governance processes.

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FIFA’s 211 member associations are expected to decide the organisation’s leadership at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027. Current president Gianni Infantino is seeking another term.

Motsepe maintained that the election should allow the various candidates and member associations to make their positions clear through the established democratic process rather than through continued public confrontation.

The CAF president also reiterated his support for Infantino, describing him as a leader who has shown commitment to African football.

“Gianni Infantino has been loyal to Africa and has shown a deep commitment to African development and growth.”

His comments come amid a major dispute over FIFA’s proposed Forward Enterprise, which involved plans for private investment in FIFA competitions and triggered strong opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and other stakeholders. FIFA eventually abandoned the proposal after widespread criticism over transparency and the consultation process.

Motsepe said the current situation should instead encourage dialogue, cooperation and respect for due process.

Africa’s position could be particularly influential at the election because CAF’s 54 member associations represent the second-largest voting bloc in FIFA, behind UEFA’s 55.

With the FIFA presidential contest approaching, Motsepe’s position keeps CAF firmly aligned behind Infantino while other confederations continue to demand changes in FIFA’s leadership and governance.

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Nigeria’s path to the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage has once again brought the country’s clubs face-to-face with the enduring power of North African football.

Shooting Stars have been handed a daunting second preliminary-round tie against three-time Confederation Cup winners CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, while El-Kanemi Warriors could face another North African heavyweight, Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, if they overcome Benin Republic’s UDIB.

For the Nigerian representatives, the draw is a reminder of the enormous continental hurdle posed by clubs from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

A familiar continental problem for Nigeria

North Africa’s dominance of the Confederation Cup is difficult to ignore.

Since the competition was established in 2004, North African clubs have won 18 of the 23 completed editions, including the last four.

The region has produced multiple champions through CS Sfaxien, Raja Casablanca, Zamalek, RS Berkane, USM Alger, Al Ahly, Etoile du Sahel and other heavyweight clubs. CAF notes that the 2025/26 final between USM Alger and Zamalek was the ninth all-North African final, while five of the last eight finals had featured two clubs from the region.

Nigeria, by comparison, has never won the Confederation Cup.

The country’s best performance came in 2005, when Dolphins reached the final. CAF also records Nigeria as the country with the most different representatives in the competition , 24 since 2004 highlighting the gap between participation and conversion into continental success.

Shooting Stars face a proven continental force

Shooting Stars’ challenge is particularly significant.

CS Sfaxien are not merely another Tunisian opponent. They are the competition’s record three-time winners, having lifted the trophy in 2007, 2008 and 2013.

The Ibadan club must therefore negotiate a tie against one of the most experienced sides in Confederation Cup history before they can even think about the next qualifying hurdle.

And should Shooting Stars prevail, another West African tie against either Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo or Sierra Leone’s East End Lions awaits.

El-Kanemi’s potential Raja obstacle

El-Kanemi Warriors have a seemingly more manageable first assignment against UDIB of Benin Republic.

But qualification would immediately bring a much bigger test.

Raja Casablanca, twice Confederation Cup champions, are waiting on the other side of the bracket.

The Moroccan giants have already demonstrated their ability to eliminate Nigerian opposition in this competition, beating Enyimba in the 2018 semi-finals before going on to win the title.

The recent record also underlines the scale of the problem.

Enyimba were drawn against Egyptian giants Zamalek and Al Masry in the 2024/25 Confederation Cup group stage and failed to record a win against either Egyptian opponent, eventually exiting in third place.

North Africa’s continental advantage

The problem extends beyond individual match-ups.

North African clubs have built a sustained ecosystem around continental football, combining stronger financial resources, deeper squads, greater continental experience and regular exposure to high-pressure CAF knockout football.

CAF’s wider Champions League history tells the same story, with the governing body describing Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia as the countries whose clubs have particularly dominated the competition in the modern era.

For Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi, however, the immediate task is straightforward.

Shooting Stars must find a way past CS Sfaxien.

El-Kanemi must first eliminate UDIB, knowing that doing so could earn them a blockbuster showdown with Raja Casablanca.

For Nigerian clubs seeking a return to the group-stage elite, North Africa once again stands firmly in the way.

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Acting Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football, Samson Adamu, has described the postponement of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as a difficult but necessary decision taken to safeguard the integrity of the competition.

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Speaking on the controversial move, Adamu admitted that the delay was regrettable but insisted it was unavoidable given the circumstances.

“It was necessary,” he said.

According to him, the factors that led to the postponement were beyond CAF’s control, leaving the organization with no choice but to reschedule the tournament.

“These were external issues,” he implied.

Adamu emphasized that protecting the credibility of the competition remains a top priority, especially as the tournament also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“We must get it right,” he noted.

He revealed that preparations are already underway to ensure a successful staging of the competition when it takes place in July.

“Plans are in place,” he added.

The CAF official also pointed out that while the decision may have caused inconvenience, it was made with the broader interests of African football in mind.

“A little discomfort for the greater good,” he stressed.

He referenced the success of the previous Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco as an example of what can be achieved with proper planning and execution.

“We want that standard,” he said.

The postponement has sparked mixed reactions across the continent, with players, coaches, and fans expressing both frustration and understanding.

As CAF moves forward, the focus will be on delivering a tournament that meets expectations.

For Adamu, the message is clear.

Quality matters.

Integrity matters.

And sometimes, difficult decisions are necessary to protect both.

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