Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe discussed multiple issues at the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) over the weekend and made an admission about the 2021-22 CAF Champions League final regarding defeated Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Motsepe acknowledged that Ahly’s complaints about being forced to play the CAFCL final in Casablanca against Moroccan side Wydad was “a legitimate and a fair concern” but explained that Morocco was the only suitable candidate after Senegal pulled out of the running to host the match. He addressed this issue by promising a similar situation will never happen again and that the CAFCL final format will return to a two-legged home and away matchup.
Motsepe drew the ire of former Ahly manager and fellow South African Pitso Mosimane, who parted ways with the Egyptian club following their defeat to Wydad and was one of the loudest voices regarding the choice of venue. However the two have enjoyed a close relationship and Motsepe appealed to the legendary manager to coach South Africa’s national side by offering to have his foundation cover Mosimane’s expected high salary. Mosimane took South African side Mamelodi Sundowns, owned by Motsepe, to the summit of African football with five South African Premier Division titles as well as a CAF Champions League triumph in 2016.
