In a landmark move set to reshape the landscape of African club football, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and African Club Association (ACA) Chairman Hersi Said signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Cairo, Egypt. The agreement cements a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the professional football sector across the continent, bolstering club finances, and fostering long-term development. This milestone underscores CAF’s commitment to ensuring that clubs receive substantial support to compete at the highest level.
A key highlight of the MoU is the unprecedented financial boost for clubs participating in CAF Interclub competitions. For the first time in history, all clubs involved in the preliminary rounds have received a solidarity fee of USD 50,000, marking a crucial step in alleviating financial burdens. Furthermore, CAF has increased prize money for the prestigious TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup by over 40%, reinforcing its dedication to elevating the competitiveness and commercial viability of club football.
ACA, which was established in November 2023 with the backing of Dr. Motsepe, has been instrumental in advocating for the interests of African clubs. The association is set to establish its headquarters at the state-of-the-art King Mohammed VI National Football Academy in Morocco, further strengthening its administrative capacity. Both CAF and ACA share a vision of nurturing young footballing talent, investing in structured training programs, and promoting fair play, integrity, and ethical conduct across all levels of the game.
Beyond financial incentives, the MoU also seeks to protect players’ interests by ensuring they have access to suitable education pathways throughout their careers. CAF and ACA have pledged to tackle critical issues such as racism, doping, violence, match-fixing, and corruption, thereby upholding the integrity of African football. Additionally, both organizations have reaffirmed their commitment to resolving sports-related disputes through appropriate resolution structures, emphasizing the need for robust national leagues and competitive international tournaments.
The African Club Association Board, led by Chairman Hersi Said of Young Africans (Tanzania), comprises distinguished football administrators from across the continent, including Vice Chairpersons Jessica Motaung (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa) and Paul Bassey (Akwa United, Nigeria). With representation spanning all regional blocs, the ACA is poised to drive transformative change in African club football. This groundbreaking alliance between CAF and ACA signals a new era of financial empowerment, professionalism, and sustainable growth for the continent’s footballing institutions.
Photo: CAF Media
