CAF reaffirms commitment to African Football development in Kinshasa

By Dayo Awoniyi

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reiterated its vision for a stronger, more self-sustaining football ecosystem across the continent during its 47th Ordinary General Assembly, held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Presided over by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, the high-level gathering brought together presidents and delegates from all 54 African member associations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also in attendance, signaling continued collaboration between world and African football’s governing bodies.

Key discussions at the assembly focused on strengthening governance structures, accelerating infrastructure development, expanding women’s football, and preparing for flagship tournaments—including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and the increased African slots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Motsepe stressed CAF’s ongoing commitment to transparency, youth development, and the global competitiveness of African football.

“Our goal remains clear—to build a future where African football is self-sustaining, transparent, and globally competitive,” Motsepe stated.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the strides made under Motsepe’s leadership, describing African football as being on “a strong path of transformation,” and called for greater global representation and investment.

The assembly also served as a platform to bolster partnerships with host nations and private stakeholders, aiming to attract strategic investments that support long-term development goals at both grassroots and elite levels.

With renewed focus and a united front, the 47th General Assembly reaffirmed CAF’s mission to drive innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth across all tiers of African football.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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