BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) convened, on Thursday in Algeria under the leadership of Patrice Motsepe. However, Faouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), opted to participate via Zoom call instead of traveling to Algiers.
On May 24, 2023, a source from the African Football Confederation shed light on a longstanding feud between Patrice Motsepe, President of the African Football Confederation, who, on different occasions, hailed the exceptional organization of the multisport events held in Algeria, and Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Moroccan Football Federation. The source revealed that Lekjaa had insulted Motsepe during a COMEX meeting in 2022, prompting other members to intervene and put an end to the altercation.
The insults directed by Lekjaa are a stark reminder that the sport is not immune to the same issues that plague other industries.
According to the source, Lekjaa’s words were so demeaning and insulting that they necessitated the intervention of other members. Lekjaa referred to Motsepe as “a nobody” and expressed his lack of esteem for him. Motsepe, in turn, responded in kind, telling Lekjaa that he didn’t care about him.
This altercation is a concerning development for African football, which is already facing numerous challenges. It is imperative that leaders in the sport prioritize professionalism and respect in all their interactions. Only then can African football reach its full potential and become a source of pride for the continent.
In #Algiers, I took a ride with a @CAF_Online exco member to the @NelsonMandela Stadium, during the #U17AFCON. (Don’t ask me whom – you know I won’t tell you. 😃) He told me this story, about what happened at an exco meeting in 2022, between Patrice Motsepe, the CAF President… pic.twitter.com/psysOgfMT9
— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) May 24, 2023
