Yet Caf’s strong relationship with Fifa has also created difficulties, as Motsepe has seemed reluctant to publicly question Infantino or decisions made by his organisation.
Fifa faced widespread criticism after US officials denied Somali referee Omar Artan entry to the country before the World Cup. It received further condemnation for suspending the one-game punishment imposed on United States forward Folarin Balogun following his red card during the competition.
Despite strongly worded criticism from other parties, Caf made no public statement opposing the global governing body over either incident.
The enlarged Club World Cup, staged in June and July last year, forced the 2025 Afcon tournament to be rescheduled for December and January. This created disagreements with leading European clubs regarding when players had to be released.
The move to stage Afcon once every four years from 2028, instead of every two years, was also viewed as favouring Fifa and the international football schedule rather than African interests. Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom was seated beside Motsepe when the change was announced.
Johansen acknowledges that financial support from Fifa Forward Enterprise could transform football across much of Africa, but she fears the sport’s integrity may be endangered in the long term.
“It is a proposal that is extremely difficult to turn down,” she said.
“African football needs this funding.
“However, we have reached a stage where it is essential to set clear boundaries and avoid compromising the game we cherish.”
Infantino had suggested that Fifa’s proposals would require a simple majority for approval, meaning at least 106 of the organisation’s 211 members must support them.
Uefa controls 55 votes, while Asia has 46 and Concacaf holds 35.
If every member association within those confederations follows the position adopted by its governing body, 136 countries would already be opposed to Infantino’s proposal.
Even if all 54 Caf associations support the Swiss official, opposition from the rest of the world may prevent the second-largest and second-most populous continent from receiving what many consider a valuable financial boost.
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