President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, has praised the outstanding performance of African nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after nine teams secured qualification to the knockout stage of the tournament.For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, 90 percent of Africas representatives advanced from the group phase, marking a major milestone for football on the continent and highlighting Africas growing strength on the global stage.The nine African countries that progressed to the Round of 32 are Algeria, Cape Verde, Cte dIvoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa.However, Motsepe, has commended the players, technical teams and football leadership across the continent for what he described as a remarkable and well-deserved achievement.On behalf of the CAF Member Associations that represent 54 African countries, I would like to express our heartfelt congratulations to the national team players and technical teams of Algeria, Cape Verde, Cte dIvoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa for their hard-earned and well-deserved qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, Motsepe said.The CAF president noted that the performances of the African teams have once again demonstrated the quality, competitiveness and rapid development of football on the continent.The players and technical teams have made each of their countries proud and have also made the 1.6 billion people on the African continent and in the diaspora proud. The global competitiveness and world-class quality of African football is being recognised and highlighted by the victories and qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 by each of the nine African national teams, he added.Motsepe further stressed that the success being enjoyed by African football is the result of years of investment in youth development, coaching, infrastructure and professional leagues across the continent.The hard work and investments in youth football development, coaching, professional football leagues and football infrastructure in each of CAFs 54 Member Associations and in CAF competitions is bearing fruit. The governance, transparency, management, financial and auditing best practices that have been introduced have attracted new sponsors and partners, and these financial partnerships have contributed to the development and growth of African football, he stated.He also congratulated the presidents and executive committees of the nine qualifying football associations while thanking African governments for their support and cooperation in developing the sport.I also want to congratulate the nine CAF Member Association presidents and their executive committees and thank the African governments for their cooperation and support of the CAF Member Associations in their countries, Motsepe concluded.
Source link
- Advertisement -
