Top-level footballers playing too many games will have a damaging effect on the sport in future, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) president has told the BBC.
In recent weeks, a handful of leading figures in the game have spoken out against the increase in games, with Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri saying players are close to going on strike.
Fifa’s expanded 2025 Club World Cup has increased the burden, since a competition that lasted around ten days and involved a maximum of two matches for the big teams will now span a month and require seven matches for victory.
“We don’t want them to play more than they should – it’s not good for football, and it’s not good for the long-term success of the sport,” Caf president Patrice Motsepe told BBC Sport Africa.
“The commitment from all stakeholders is indeed the players’ health and condition, and the frequency which they have to be on the field is important to us.”
Motsepe is the owner of Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African club provides a good example of the workload faced by leading players.
Should South Africa qualify for the next World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), then Sundowns players – ten of whom were in the squad that finished third at this year’s Afcon – would not have a break until mid-2027.
This is because Fifa’s Club World Cup is in June-July 2025, the following season contains a Nations Cup running from December 2025-January 2026, and the World Cup then takes place in June-July 2026.
In Europe, where the Champions League now has two extra games, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is considering mid-season holidays for his squad while Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, a team-mate of Egypt star Mohamed Salah, said players are tired of “having more games”.
“Part of what we have to do is to keep talking, keep engaging but also keep listening,” said Motsepe.
“Solutions will be found that are in the interests of all parties.”
Saudi investment
Motsepe was in London earlier this week to secure a financial deal with Saudi Arabia regarding its hosting of the African Super Cup, while the talks also explored further partnership opportunities.
The Saudi capital Riyadh will host the match between the Champions League winners Al Ahly and Confederation Cup champions Zamalek, both of whom hail from Egypt, on 27 September.
With millions of supporters across the Middle East, the Cairo derby – which has long been seen as the biggest rivalry in African football – sold out “within an hour”, said Caf.
For Motsepe, who has repeatedly stressed the need for Caf to be financially self-sustainable, the interest from Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of investing in sport to improve its international reputation, is a welcome development.
“It brings two of the best African clubs together, playing in Saudi,” he said.
“African football needs financial resources and the key issue is that these resources must go on what they are supposed to.”
Caf had debts of $40-50m (£30–37.5m) when Motsepe took charge in 2021 but the South African said earlier this week that the deficit is now under $10m (£7.5m).
This is thanks to an increase in Nations Cup sponsors and television rights, as well as the financial input from Saudi Arabia.
“The benefits of what we are doing will really be seen three, five or seven years down the line,” said Motsepe.
‘Independent, ethical and credible’ investigation
As he tries to secure ever more business partners, Motsepe is keenly aware of the importance of Caf’s global image.
The billionaire took charge of the organisation when replacing Madagascar’s Ahmad, whose reign was marred by becoming the first Caf president to be banned by Fifa for ethics abuses, including misappropriation of funds.
While Motsepe’s Caf has largely steered clear of such scandal, there is currently a misconduct investigation against the body’s general secretary.
Veron Mosengo-Omba, who denies any wrongdoing, has stayed in position during the investigation, which Motsepe insists has to be free of outside influence.
“At the heart of any allegations is an independent, ethical and credible assessment – and that’s why we were insisting that the entity investigating these allegations has to be among the top in the world.”
“The key issue for somebody in my position is to allow the investigators to do their work. We have to be able to continue to gain the credibility and respect of all stakeholders.”
Kenya’s ‘exceptional guarantees’
Last weekend, Motsepe toured facilities in Kenya ahead of confirming on Monday that the country would be one of three co-hosting the forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament for African players based in their own domestic leagues.
Neighbours Tanzania and Uganda will also stage the finals as the three countries continue their preparations to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, when the tournament is set to take place in East Africa for the first time in over four decades.
Despite Kenya not having a stadium currently deemed suitable to stage matches, Motsepe says he has been reassured by President William Ruto that the nation, which lost hosting rights for the 1996 Nations Cup and 2018 CHAN because of poor preparations, will be ready.
“I trust President Ruto, I trust the president of Tanzania, I trust the president of Uganda,” said the 62-year-old. “When you look people in the eye, you can see the passion.”
“I’m going back [to Kenya] in December to make sure that the excellent guarantees that I’ve been given have been implemented.”
Kenya is refurbishing two new stadiums – the Moi International Sports Centre (60,000-capacity) and Nyayo Stadium (15,000) – ahead of the CHAN, while also building the Talanta Sports City Stadium (60,000) for the 2027 Afcon.
“A lot of work is already being done,” said Motsepe, who toured Kenya’s stadiums on Sunday. “I saw a lot of excellent renovations and upgrading taking place.”
After being closed for renovation in 2019, the Namboole Stadium has been hosting games since May in Uganda, which is building another Nations Cup stadium in Hoima, while Tanzania, which is also constructing new arenas, already has the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
The countries will host the CHAN between 1-28 February.
