Motsepe explains decision why Tanzania will host African Football League opener

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has revealed why he personally insisted that Tanzania host the opening ceremony and inaugural match of the African Football League between Simba and Al Ahly.

Motsepe said his decision was driven by a desire to showcase Tanzania’s passion for football and the quality of talent in the country to audiences across Africa and around the world.

The CAF president disclosed that he had been advised to move the high-profile fixture to Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, a stadium with a capacity of more than 90,000 and the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.

However, Motsepe said he rejected the suggestion because he wanted Tanzania to have the opportunity to demonstrate its ability to stage major international football events.

“I personally insisted on Tanzania hosting the opening match of the African Football League between Simba and Al Ahly,” Motsepe said.

He explained that the decision was about more than simply selecting a venue, arguing that major football matches can provide an important platform for countries to demonstrate their football culture, infrastructure and commercial potential.

Motsepe also reflected on another major match that he had hoped would be played in Tanzania.

He said he wished Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam could have hosted the CAF Confederation Cup final between Simba and RS Berkane, but CAF’s technical experts advised that the stadium was not ready to stage the fixture at the time.

The CAF president stressed that filling stadiums to capacity should be viewed as an important part of the development of football infrastructure and the wider sports economy.

According to Motsepe, strong attendances at major matches can help countries attract investors and sponsors while also strengthening their case to host more prestigious football competitions.

He believes Tanzania’s role as one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Kenya and Uganda, can provide the country with a significant foundation for staging even bigger football matches in the future.

Motsepe said the successful delivery of AFCON 2027 could demonstrate Tanzania’s readiness to the international football community and create opportunities for the country to attract major matches and competitions beyond the tournament.

The CAF president has repeatedly emphasised the importance of the three host nations working closely with CAF to improve stadiums, training facilities, pitches and other infrastructure ahead of the 2027 tournament.

For Tanzania, the Simba-Al Ahly fixture represented an early opportunity to demonstrate the country’s ability to create the atmosphere and commercial appeal associated with major continental football events.

Motsepe’s comments underline his belief that football’s impact extends beyond what happens on the pitch, with full stadiums, strong fan engagement and successful tournament organisation potentially helping to generate wider investment in the sport.

With Tanzania preparing to co-host AFCON 2027, Motsepe sees the tournament as an opportunity to build on that momentum and establish the country as a regular destination for major international football matches.