Patrice Motsepe has said the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations offered a powerful reminder of football’s ability to unite a divided continent, pointing to scenes of shared celebration between supporters from countries with deep political tensions.
Speaking at a press conference marking the end of the tournament in Morocco, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) used his closing address to underline what he described as African football’s greatest strength: its capacity to bring people together beyond history, borders and diplomacy.
Asked about several sensitive situations across the continent, Motsepe chose to focus on unity rather than division, insisting that football carries responsibilities that extend well beyond the pitch.
“ We want an Africa where there are good relations and good ties between people. Football has clear obligations ,” he said.
The CAF president highlighted moments from the stands that, for him, captured the spirit of the competition more vividly than any result or controversy. Among them were images of Algerian and Moroccan supporters celebrating side by side during matches.
” I feel proud when I see Moroccans and Algerians celebrating together during football ,” Motsepe added.
The scenes carried particular weight given the long-standing political rivalry between Morocco and Algeria, which has often spilled beyond diplomacy into sport.
Yet during the tournament, those tensions appeared temporarily set aside inside stadiums, where fans gathered under a shared continental identity.
Even Morocco’s defeat in Sunday’s final, later celebrated in Algeria, was cited as part of the complex but revealing backdrop to this year’s competition.
Motsepe also extended his message to other regions of Africa marked by strained relations, referring to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While acknowledging that the contexts are different, he said he was encouraged to see football officials from both countries working together peacefully during the tournament.
The CAF president was careful not to suggest that football could resolve political or geopolitical disputes. Instead, he framed the Africa Cup of Nations as a space where coexistence and dialogue can be visibly expressed, even if only temporarily.
Although the situations involving Morocco and Algeria, and Rwanda and the DRC, are not identical, Motsepe stressed that AFCON provides a shared platform where cooperation is possible.
In his view, the tournament serves as a living example of Pan-Africanism, demonstrating how sport can foster understanding and shared pride across national lines.
For Motsepe, the lasting image of AFCON 2025 will not only be defined by the football played on the pitch, but by the moments in the stands that reflected a broader aspiration for unity across Africa.
🤝 CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe on Rwanda, DR Congo, Morocco, and Algeria:
💬 “We want an Africa where there are good ties and relationships between each other. We are clear. Football has clear obligations. I feel proud when I see Moroccans and Algerians celebrate together… pic.twitter.com/BDOLRblFaj
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) January 17, 2026
