CAF delays harm local fixtures, says PSL boss
Neutral venues need to be debated
PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza is perturbed by last-minute postponements that local clubs are facing in the CAF Champions League because this is having a dire consequence on the Dstv Premiership programme.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs had their matches against clubs from Algeria and Morocco postponed and will be played in neutral venues due to the countries’ strict Covid-19 regulations when it comes to travellers from South Africa.
The PSL has had to postpone and reschedule their matches to accommodate both clubs who are in the group stages of the CAF Champions League. The season is already compressed after a late start towards the end of October due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a matter that needs a bit of discussion and debate,” said Khoza, who attended Patrice Motsepe’s CAF presidential elections manifesto event at the Sandton Convention Centre.
“We are hoping that we are going to get answers sooner than later. It is a problem in terms of the congestion of the fixtures, themselves. There were no dates when we restructured the fixtures and it is unfortunate that there was this measure taken, but also the expenses that go to the clubs.”
The Orlando Pirates supremo added that they have to take up the matter so that it can be resolved differently.
“Safa has been in the forefront of this matter and it will be best to resolve it in a different manner because you cannot go and play in a neutral venue even when you have lost money.
“For instance, Sundowns were only two hours away from the airport when the fixture was changed,” he said.
“This has got its own complications in our local competitions, that’s why I say that the success of African football is to make sure that we strengthen the leagues.
“Because if we do not meet our obligations with the broadcasters
and sponsors, then the media are going to say that we are failing.
“If we do not provide the necessary obligations as promised on a fixture that has been arranged a long time ago, it’s a problem for us,” said Khoza.
Yesterday, Sundowns were due to play Polokwane City in the Nedbank Cup but that fixture has been rescheduled with the Brazilians playing against Algeria’s Belouizad CR in neutral
Tanzania today.
Sundowns are also due to face Stellenbosch FC in the league on Tuesday and that game is likely to be postponed as well.
Luckily, Chiefs are out of the Nedbank Cup and their only fixture headache is the match against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC on Tuesday since they may come back from Burkina Faso a little late.
Amakhosi will play against Wydad Athletic this afternoon.
South Africa’s billionaire mining magnate Patrice Motsepe and his Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) sidekicks are ready for war in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidential elections in two weeks’ time. The Mamelodi Sundowns boss launched his election manifesto in a high-profile gathering attended by the top brass of African football in Sandton, Joburg this past week.
“We will fight hard. If they go dirty, we will go dirty. If they go smart, we will go smart as well,” said Cosafa president Phillip Chiyangwa. “Out of the 54 member countries, we are looking at getting 35 going upwards because we want to be more aggressive. Patrice is a totally different person. Cosafa as a region with 14 members, we have endorsed him and are fully behind his campaign,” he said.
The event was attended by presidents of federations, business people and even top politicians. Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, PSL chairman Irvin Khoza, Safa president Danny Jordaan, Nigeria Football Association president Amaju Pinnick, TP Mazembe boss and DR Congo businessman Moïse Katumbi, to mention a few, were some of the dignitaries who attended the event in support of Motsepe.
Motsepe said he will rope in former players and African legends into the structures of CAF if he is elected as president of the continent’s football mother body on March 12 in Morocco.
“Africa has produced some of the best football players in the world and now is the time to develop and retain in Africa some of these talented and exceptional players and build African football. So, it is important to bring in the legends and former players such Samuel Eto’o, El Hadji Diouf, Jay-jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Siaka Tiéné and oth
ers who have contributed immensely to the growth of African football. I will invite them and have a meeting with them to talk about football and that will be very exciting,” said Motsepe at the event on Thursday.
“We also want those African players in the diaspora. We will engage the black players in the French team because they are Africans, and they belong to us. They can advise us on how we can make CAF financially sustainable.
“We must invest in building our youth football developmental
facilities and infrastructure for boys and girls and promote football in as many schools possible because that is important for the growth and long-term success of African football.
“I will visit all the member countries within …12 months if I am elected. I will have discussions with their leadership to identify and implement development growth projects. We are committed to ensuring that CAF and its 54 members in the medium- to long-term period are self-supporting and globally competitive,” said Motsepe.