Kaizer Chiefs marketing director Jessica Motaung, who also serves as vice chairperson of the African Clubs Association [ACA], is targeting a crucial meeting with the PSL.
Motaung believes the meeting would initiate ACA activities in the region. This follows the recent signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] in Cairo, Egypt, between re-elected CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe and ACA chairman Hersi Ally Said.
The MoU strengthens the partnership between CAF and ACA, formalising key strategic objectives.
The ACA has praised Motsepe for significantly increasing financial support for club football. Notably, CAF has introduced a US$50,000 [R911 625] solidarity fee for all clubs participating in the preliminary stages of CAF Interclub competitions—a first-time initiative.
Additionally, prize money for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup has increased by over 40%. Launched in November 2023 with Motsepe’s support, the ACA will establish its offices at the state-of-the-art King Mohammed VI National Football Academy in Salé, Morocco.
CAF and ACA share crucial goals for the growth of continental club football. They aim to protect and develop a robust professional football sector while also investing in and promoting youth player development for long-term sustainability.
They will also ensure that players have access to appropriate educational pathways throughout their sporting careers. In addition, the ACA was set up to promote fair play and combat racism, doping, violence, match-fixing, and corruption. The association will also be expected to facilitate resolving sports-related disputes through appropriate structures.
JESSICA MOTAUNG ON MEETING WITH PSL
Motaung is set to get the ball rolling in South Africa by meeting with the PSL. “We’re now looking at finalising all of those things and ensuring that we bring on the teams in terms of membership and then have some exciting programs.
“The most important thing is making sure that we’re building clubs, empowering them at the different leagues that they’re at, and making sure that we are making clubs sustainable,” explained Motaung.
She said she looked forward to meeting with the league and later associations within the COSAFA region.
“I’m excited to be sitting with the league. I’m hoping to sit with the league and other clubs here in South Africa and SADC and COSAFA more precisely, and then speak with all the other board members to make sure that in their regions, we start building a structure and start engaging with the teams and building on their empowerment because teams are experiencing different challenges in different leagues and territories.
“So, I am doing a lot of research and engaging with the ACA about their learnings and some of their programs, but I am also excited because we are coming up with stuff that will provide solutions for Africa.”
HOW MOROCCO WON THE BID TO HOST ACA OFFICES
She clarified why South Africa lost to Morocco in the bid to host the ACA offices, having previously expressed interest.
“We would have loved to have it in South Africa, but we had to go through the bidding process. And at the time, South Africa didn’t feel they could take it further. And obviously, Morocco put in a very good bid and provided great offices.”
She believes Morocco’s being the base for the ACA will be beneficial. The North African country is hosting several footballing events, including the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a responsibility it shares with Spain and Portugal.
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