Patrice Motsepe says he would welcome and actively support any investigation into corruption within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the storm surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the call comes after Senegal’s government demanded an investigation when the country was stripped of the AFCON title and the trophy was handed to Morocco’s national football team by a CAF appeals board.
The West African nation has since lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport as the row deepens.
Motsepe made his position clear during a visit to Dakar, where he met Bassirou Diomaye Faye and football officials. “I welcome any investigation [into corruption at Caf], whether it is by a government or an authority or anybody,” he said.
“Because any corruption in Caf we want to know about it and we will take action ourselves, immediately. We have a duty to our people in Africa. If any government or institution [wants to], please go ahead and conduct the investigation. We will give you all the cooperation. In fact, I encourage you.”
The crisis stems from the dramatic AFCON final in Rabat on 18 January. CAF’s appeals board ruled Senegal forfeited the match after several players walked off in protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco.
The team later returned, and the spot-kick taken by Brahim Diaz was saved before Senegal won 1-0 after extra time. Despite the result on the pitch, Caf overturned the outcome on 17 March and awarded the title to Morocco.
The fallout has shaken confidence in African football’s leadership. Former general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba stepped down on 29 March amid the mounting controversy.
Motsepe insisted corruption would never be hidden under his leadership. “Whilst I am president of Caf we will never conceal any corruption,” he said.
“It is the biggest problem, not just in football. I have been told there have been lots of problems in the past [with corruption] and we intervened. We can’t set a bad example in football, to give our children the perception that if you want to succeed in life, be corrupt. That’s the best gift we can give football in Africa. Not just talking about corruption, but intervening, putting the necessary laws [in place] and implementing them.”
