By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
The world of African football has long been more than just a sport. Across the continent, it serves as a unifying heartbeat, a source of pride, and a vehicle through which dreams are nurtured. Young boys and girls, communities, and nations rally behind it, believing in the principles that underpin it: fairness, discipline, perseverance, and hope. Yet in recent weeks, this spirit has been gravely compromised. The Confederation of African Football CAF made the troubling decision to confer achievement awards upon President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and President William Ruto of Kenya, all leaders whose administrations have been mired in credibility issues concerning social justice and human rights violations. This decision raises deep ethical, moral, and political concerns.
CAF, as the custodian of African football, has a duty to uphold the integrity of the sport, to stand as a beacon of justice, and to honor those whose contributions inspire unity and progress. Awarding recognition to leaders whose administrations have been implicated in the suppression of dissent, political repression, and violence against citizens sends a dangerous and contradictory message. It undermines the very foundation of African football, a foundation built on the principles of fair play and communal harmony.
Under these leaders’ administrations, citizens have endured troubling incidents following elections widely criticized for lacking transparency and credibility. Reports include political repression, the suppression of dissent, and in some cases, deaths of innocent civilians, many of them youths. These are not isolated incidents. They reflect patterns of governance that prioritize political expediency over human life, silencing voices that seek justice and democratic accountability. Yet CAF, by bestowing achievement awards on these same leaders, has chosen to ignore these realities.
Football is meant to inspire the continent’s youth, to ignite dreams of achievement and fair competition. It is a universal language that transcends tribal, national, and political boundaries. The young people who devote their time, energy, and passion to football deserve leaders who exemplify integrity, justice, and courage, values mirrored on the pitch. How can CAF claim to represent these ideals when it simultaneously endorses political leaders implicated in violence against their own citizens? The dissonance is stark and deeply troubling.
This is not merely about politics. It is about moral clarity and the ethical responsibility of continental institutions. CAF’s decision betrays the legacy of Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, whose lifelong commitment to justice, freedom, and human dignity inspired generations of Tanzanians and Africans alike. Nyerere’s vision was of a society built on ethical governance, equitable opportunity, and respect for human rights. Honoring leaders accused of contravening these very values is a betrayal of that legacy and a disservice to the ideals upon which our continent has long sought to build a just and equitable future.
Furthermore, the politicization of African football through such awards risks delegitimizing the sport in the eyes of the very people who sustain it: the youth. African football thrives because it represents hope, discipline, and the pursuit of dreams. When institutions like CAF allow political considerations to override principles of justice and fairness, they not only compromise the sport but alienate the continent’s youth. Young players, coaches, and fans are left to wonder whether merit, integrity, and ethical conduct truly matter, or whether political favoritism and expediency will always prevail.
The moral implications of CAF’s decisions extend beyond football. They speak to the broader narrative of African governance, leadership accountability, and the responsibilities of institutions that claim to serve the continent. CAF is one of Africa’s most prominent continental organizations, with a reach and influence that extends far beyond the stadiums. It has the power to set ethical standards and uphold principles that resonate across societies. By honoring leaders implicated in violent suppression and human rights violations, CAF risks normalizing impunity and sending the message that abuses of power are acceptable if political convenience dictates.
It is also a question of credibility. African football has fought hard to gain respect and recognition on the global stage. CAF’s awards, in this context, undermine their own moral authority. When international observers see African football institutions endorsing leaders accused of violence against their people, it tarnishes the image of the sport and the continent alike. Integrity, transparency, and fairness, values that African football has long sought to champion, cannot coexist with political expediency and moral compromise.
Mr. Patrice Motsepe, as President of CAF, carries an extraordinary responsibility. Your leadership shapes not only the governance of football but also the ethical tone of the institution. CAF’s decisions must reflect accountability, courage, and a commitment to the continent’s youth. By allowing these awards to stand, CAF risks betraying those very values, signaling that political connections outweigh merit and moral responsibility.
The youth of Africa, the lifeblood of football and the future of our continent, are watching. They witness the countless sacrifices made by young players, coaches, and fans who dedicate their lives to the sport, and they expect the institutions that govern football to honor justice and integrity. Conferring recognition upon leaders linked to violent repression and human rights violations sends a message that their hopes, dreams, and aspirations are secondary to political expediency. This is an unacceptable betrayal.
CAF has the power to restore credibility, trust, and moral leadership. The path forward is clear: these awards must be withdrawn. Such an action would reaffirm CAF’s commitment to African football, the youth who sustain it, and the ethical principles that define our shared humanity. It would signal that African football is a space free from political manipulation, a space where fairness, merit, and integrity prevail above all else.
African football is more than a game. It is a unifying force that transcends borders, ethnicities, and political affiliations. It carries the potential to teach lessons far beyond the stadium, lessons of teamwork, resilience, discipline, and ethical conduct. It is a force for social cohesion, a space where ideals of justice and equality can be nurtured. To weaponize this force in service of political favoritism or to legitimize oppression is to betray everything football represents.
The issue at hand is urgent, not peripheral. CAF’s decisions have consequences for the continent, for the sport, and for the ethical example it sets. African youth deserve institutions that act in their best interest, that defend their rights, and that champion leaders whose conduct aligns with the values of justice and accountability. CAF must listen to these voices. It must act decisively to uphold the integrity of African football and, by extension, the moral conscience of our continent.
This is a call not just for action but for moral clarity. The message is simple yet profound: African football cannot stand as a beacon of hope while endorsing violence and repression. Awards must honor integrity, courage, and commitment to the common good, not political expediency. CAF must rise to this challenge and reaffirm its role as a guardian of ethical football governance.
In conclusion, the conferment of CAF achievement awards to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, President Yoweri Museveni, and President William Ruto undermines the very principles African football seeks to uphold. It betrays the legacy of leaders like Julius K. Nyerere, diminishes the credibility of CAF, and risks alienating the continent’s youth. Immediate action is required: the awards must be withdrawn, and CAF must publicly reaffirm its commitment to integrity, fairness, and ethical governance. Only by doing so can African football continue to serve as a unifying force and a source of inspiration for generations to come.
African football represents hope, unity, and the dreams of countless youths. It must never be used to reward oppression, silence dissent, or legitimize violence. The eyes of the continent are watching, and history will judge CAF not only by its victories on the pitch but by its courage, ethics, and commitment to African youth. It is time for CAF to demonstrate true leadership by rejecting the politicization of awards and honoring the spirit of the game.
African youths, football enthusiasts, and all who believe in justice await your response. Will CAF stand for the principles that make football a symbol of hope, or will it betray them for the sake of political expediency? The choice is yours, Mr. President, and the consequences will resonate far beyond the stadiums.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author and do not in anyway reflect the opinions or editorial policy of Africa Publicity
