Former Black Stars captain and FIFA Ambassador, Abedi Pele is asking the Confederation of African Football (CAF) what it uses monies accrued from sponsorships of soccer tournaments on the continent for.
He says winners of any CAF tournament get nothing but only an empty trophy.
Abedi told the Africawatch magazine in an interview that unlike FIFA which gives countries some bonuses for their participation and $1 million for their preparation in a competition, CAF does not give any incentive even when a country wins a tournament.
“When you win, you don’t get anything. You only get an empty trophy”, he said.
“What is CAF using our sponsorship monies for?,” the soccer legend was cited by the publication as questioning.
In Abedi Pele’s opinion, it’s time for Issa Hayatou and others to give the mantle to a new crop of leaders to run the continent’s football and that they must not be allowed to “hijack the game in Africa and think that it’s their own.”
“If you are old, 65 or 70, pave the way for the young ones who have fresh ideas to better manage the game,” he said.
The CAF President, Issa Hayatou has already hinted that he will step down some time to come.
Pele said for now he has no plans of contesting for the CAF presidency but may consider that in the future since according to him, “his name is always on people’s minds” when this issue comes up.
By Ekow Quandzie