FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaking during the 43rd CAF Ordinary and Elective General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Praises African ‘Team Spirit’

Last updated Mar 12, 2021

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stressed the importance of “team spirit” to project African football to the top of the world in his address to the 43rd CAF Ordinary and Elective General Assembly that took place on Friday in Rabat, Morocco.

“We know the values of football, but the most important value is team spirit. This is the team spirit that we have witnessed these days in Africa,” Infantino said.

Referring to the future of African football, the FIFA President said: “I have already said it, and I say it again. We must stop saying that it is necessary to develop African football. It is about projecting it to the summit of world football.”

“The time for talking has stopped. We must move on, and we must move on as a team: as a CAF team and a FIFA team that also includes all the confederations and associations from all over the world. You are CAF. You are FIFA.”

The 43rd CAF General Assembly on Friday elected Dr. Patrice Motsepe, as the new President of CAF.

Motsepe, who becomes the seventh person to occupy the position of CAF President, begins his four-year term after being elected unopposed by the Member Associations of CAF, in Rabat.

Going to the General Assembly, Africa adopted a unity stance which saw other three candidates, namely Augustin Senghor, Ahmed Yahya and Jacques Anouma withdraw from the race to be President.

⚽️ Dr. Patrice Motsepe elected 7th CAF President unopposed in Rabat.#CAF #CAFOnline #football #StaySafeAfrica https://t.co/xBuMXh3wUB

— CAFOnline (@CAF_Media) March 12, 2021

Motsepe, 59, is an accomplished South African businessman and philanthropist and no stranger to football. For almost two decades, he has been the President of a South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns.

In relation to Patrice Motsepe, who was elected as the new CAF President, Infantino added: “I want to wish all the very best for the next four years, to the new leading team of CAF, of African football, and to Patrice Motsepe, to all those who have been involved, to Augustin, Ahmed, Jacques and everyone.”

“I want to assure you that FIFA is not at your side. FIFA is together with you.”

FIFA President praises African “team spirit” – https://t.co/xhjViag20H

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) March 12, 2021

Chidi Nwoke/FIFA.