Motsepe: CAF-UEFA partnership will drive growth and unity through football

Confederation of African Football President Dr Patrice Motsepe says African football is on a strong growth path following the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union of European Football Associations to deepen cooperation between the two continents.

The agreement is expected to strengthen football development in Africa and Europe through collaboration in youth football, women’s football, coaching education, referee training, governance and institutional development.

Speaking after the signing, Motsepe said the continent had made major progress in recent years and remained focused on becoming one of the strongest football regions in the world.

“African football has experienced significant growth over the past few years, and we continue to build towards making it among the best in the world,” he said.

He added that the partnership also reinforces the long-standing relationship between Africa and Europe, where many African stars have built successful careers in elite leagues.

“By signing the Memorandum of Understanding with UEFA, we are strengthening our historic ties and friendship between Africa and Europe that has seen some of the best African players succeed in European leagues,” Motsepe stated.

The CAF president said the deal goes beyond football development and reflects a shared commitment to using the sport as a force for unity and social connection.

“It reflects CAF and UEFA’s shared vision of using football as a tool to bring together and unite the people of our two continents,” he said.

Motsepe further noted that pooling resources and expertise would help ensure football remains a source of hope, joy and inspiration for millions across the world.

The agreement marks another significant move by CAF to raise standards across the continent and expand its global partnerships.

Key areas of cooperation

Under the MoU, CAF and UEFA will collaborate across several strategic pillars:

• Youth and women’s football: Expanded participation in joint youth competitions and reciprocal programmes such as the CAF African Schools Football Championship.
• Football development: Long-term technical and structural projects between member associations.
• Coaching education: Sharing of technical expertise and alignment of coaching standards across both confederations.
• Refereeing: Exchange programmes for match officials and instructor development.
• Institutional knowledge: Observer roles at major tournaments and participation in joint conferences.
• Education and capacity building: Joint training frameworks, including football medicine and professional development pathways.
• Governance: Regular reviews and coordination meetings to monitor implementation and ensure alignment.

Both CAF and UEFA say the agreement reinforces a shared belief that football remains a powerful tool for social impact, education, and international cooperation, with room for further joint initiatives in the coming years.