The Confederation of African Football (Caf) President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has lauded Kaizer Chiefs and the Motaungs for the impact they have made in Mzansi football.
Despite their struggles this season, the Glamour Boys are almost guaranteed a place in the Caf Confederation Cup by virtue of reaching the Nedbank Cup final, where they are scheduled to play Orlando Pirates on May 10.
In his address on Wednesday at the Sandton Convention Centre – during the official signing ceremony of the African Global Logistics' extension of their contract ahead of the forthcoming Women’s and Men’s Africa Cup of Nations competitions, Motsepe explained why Amakhosi deserve praise.
‘I'm happy Chiefs are back'
The Mamelodi Sundowns owner further mentioned the likes of AmaZulu and Golden Arrows, who have strived to give their best in the Premier Soccer League. But he argued with Chiefs in the continental football, Mzansi will benefit.
“As I was walking in, Lucas was talking to me, we were talking about many things, but I said I’m happy Kaizer Chiefs is back in the Confederation Cup because if you grew up the way I grew up, you cannot develop South African football without a successful Kaizer Chiefs,” Motsepe stated.
“Let me quickly say, without a successful Golden Arrows, AmaZulu and all the others, so they feel; I have a duty to recognise all of them. But I’m so proud, and proud of the work the Motaung family is doing, and I say the same thing about Mbabane Swallows, Chiefs in Botswana, and all the countries where we need to develop club football.”
‘We want the best for Africa'
Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Athletic Club, Esperance and Al Ahly will be representing Africa in the 2025 World Cup, and Motsepe has put it bare what he is expecting.
“We will be going to America in a few months with the best clubs in the world, the very best, I was in Miami for a few weeks and I was told when you have Brazil play it’s beautiful but when you have Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and all the others in the same team it’s something to be proud of,” Motsepe continued.
“We want the best of Africa; to be competing, the best of African football to be competing with the best of world football, we’re confident… part of our objectives is an Africa nation winning the World Cup, that is the aim, we recognise it needs investment and commitment.
“Where we have countries where heads of state support and loves football, those are the countries that usually succeed enormously,” he concluded.
