The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) President Dr Patrice Motsepe and African Club Association (“ACA”) Chairman Hersi Said marks a significant moment in the partnership between the two organizations. The MoU, signed in Cairo, Egypt on 11 March 2025, formalizes a number of strategic objectives aimed at strengthening the relationship between CAF and ACA.
One of the key highlights of the MoU is the increased financial support for Club Football provided by CAF. This includes the introduction of a USD 50,000 solidary fee for all Clubs that participated in the preliminary stages of the CAF Interclub competition. This financial assistance is a groundbreaking move by CAF, as it is the first time that Clubs are being supported in this way to participate in the CAF Interclub Competitions.
In addition to the solidary fee, CAF has also raised the prizemoney in both the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup by over 40%. These financial boosts demonstrate CAF’s commitment to supporting and growing Club Football on the African continent.
The establishment of the ACA in November 2023 with the support of Dr Motsepe has been a significant development in African football. ACA recently announced plans to set up offices at the prestigious King Mohammed VI National Football Academy in Sale, Morocco, further solidifying its presence in the region.
Both CAF and ACA share mutual aims that are essential for the growth of Club Football in Africa. These aims include protecting and developing a strong professional football sector, investing in the training of young talented players, providing education pathways for players, promoting fair play, and combating issues such as racism, doping, violence, match-fixing, and corruption in football.
The current board members of the African Club Association represent a diverse range of clubs from across the continent. The board includes Hersi Said from Young Africans in Tanzania as the Chairman, Jessica Motaung from Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa as the Vice Chairperson, and Paul Bassey from Akwa United in Nigeria also serving as a Vice Chairperson.
The collaboration between CAF and ACA is crucial in ensuring that National Team and Club Football in Africa continue to provide significant benefits to players, clubs, leagues, and member associations. By fostering a closer working relationship and resolving sports-related disputes within appropriate structures, CAF and ACA are working towards the long-term development and success of football in Africa.
