Too many video games 'not good for soccer' - African boss Motsepe

High-level footballers enjoying too many video games could have a harmful impact on the game in future, the Confederation of African Soccer (Caf) president has advised the BBC.

In current weeks, a handful of main figures within the recreation have spoken out towards the rise in video games, with Manchester Metropolis and Spain midfielder Rodri saying gamers are close to going on strike.

“We don’t need them to play greater than they need to – it’s not good for soccer, and it’s not good for the long-term success of the game,” Caf president Patrice Motsepe advised BBC Sport Africa.

“The dedication from all stakeholders is certainly the gamers’ well being and situation, and the frequency which they must be on the sphere is necessary to us.”

Motsepe is the proprietor of Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African membership offers a very good instance of the workload confronted by main gamers.

Fifa’s expanded 2025 Membership World Cup has elevated the burden, since an occasion that lasted round ten days and concerned a most of two matches in December for the massive groups will now span a month from June and require seven matches for victory.

Ought to South Africa qualify for the following World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), then Sundowns gamers – ten of whom have been within the squad that finished third at this year’s Afcon – wouldn’t have a break till mid-2027.

It’s because Fifa’s Membership World Cup is in June-July 2025, the next season accommodates a Nations Cup operating from December 2025-January 2026, and the World Cup then takes place in June-July 2026.

In Europe, the place the Champions League now has two further video games, Actual Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is considering mid-season holidays for his squad whereas Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, a team-mate of Egypt star Mohamed Salah, stated gamers are uninterested in “having extra video games”.

“A part of what we’ve got to do is to maintain speaking, preserve partaking but additionally preserve listening,” stated Motsepe.

“Options will probably be discovered which are within the pursuits of all events.”

Saudi funding

Motsepe was in London earlier this week to safe a monetary cope with Saudi Arabia relating to its internet hosting of the African Tremendous Cup, whereas the talks additionally explored additional partnership alternatives.

The Saudi capital Riyadh will host the match between the Champions League winners Al Ahly and Confederation Cup champions Zamalek, each of whom hail from Egypt, on 27 September.

With tens of millions of supporters throughout the Center East, the Cairo derby – which has lengthy been seen as the largest rivalry in African soccer – sold out “within an hour”, stated Caf.

For Motsepe, who has repeatedly pressured the necessity for Caf to be financially self-sustainable, the curiosity from Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of investing in sport to improve its international reputation, is a welcome growth.

“It brings two of the most effective African golf equipment collectively, enjoying in Saudi,” he stated.

“African soccer wants monetary assets and the important thing situation is that these assets should go on what they’re speculated to.”

Caf had debts of $40-50m (£30–37.5m) when Motsepe took cost in 2021 however the South African stated earlier this week that the deficit is now beneath $10m (£7.5m).

That is due to a rise in Nations Cup sponsors and tv rights, in addition to the monetary enter from Saudi Arabia.

“The advantages of what we’re doing will actually be seen three, 5 or seven years down the road,” stated Motsepe.

‘Impartial, moral and credible’ investigation

As he tries to safe ever extra enterprise companions, Motsepe is keenly conscious of the significance of Caf’s international picture.

The billionaire took cost of the organisation when changing Madagascar’s Ahmad, whose reign was marred by changing into the primary Caf president to be banned by Fifa for ethics abuses, together with misappropriation of funds.

Whereas Motsepe’s Caf has largely steered away from such scandal, there may be at the moment a misconduct investigation towards the physique’s common secretary.

Veron Mosengo-Omba, who denies any wrongdoing, has stayed in place throughout the investigation, which Motsepe insists must be free of out of doors affect.

“On the coronary heart of any allegations is an unbiased, moral and credible evaluation – and that’s why we have been insisting that the entity investigating these allegations must be among the many prime on this planet.”

“The important thing situation for someone in my place is to permit the investigators to do their work. We’ve to have the ability to proceed to achieve the credibility and respect of all stakeholders.”

Kenya’s ‘distinctive ensures’

Final weekend, Motsepe toured services in Kenya forward of confirming on Monday that the nation can be considered one of three co-hosting the forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), a match for African gamers based mostly in their very own home leagues.

Neighbours Tanzania and Uganda may even stage the finals because the three international locations proceed their preparations to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, when the match is about to happen in East Africa for the primary time in over 4 a long time.

Regardless of Kenya not having a stadium at the moment deemed appropriate to stage matches, Motsepe says he has been reassured by President William Ruto that the nation, which misplaced internet hosting rights for the 1996 Nations Cup and 2018 CHAN due to poor preparations, will probably be prepared.

“I belief President Ruto, I belief the president of Tanzania, I belief the president of Uganda,” stated the 62-year-old. “While you look individuals within the eye, you may see the fervour.”

“I’m going again [to Kenya] in December to guarantee that the wonderful ensures that I’ve been given have been applied.”

Kenya is refurbishing two new stadiums – the Moi Worldwide Sports activities Centre (60,000-capacity) and Nyayo Stadium (15,000) – forward of the CHAN, whereas additionally constructing the Talanta Sports activities Metropolis Stadium (60,000) for the 2027 Afcon.

“Lots of work is already being executed,” stated Motsepe, who toured Kenya’s stadiums on Sunday. “I noticed lots of wonderful renovations and upgrading happening.”

After being closed for renovation in 2019, the Namboole Stadium has been internet hosting video games since Could in Uganda, which is constructing one other Nations Cup stadium in Hoima, whereas Tanzania, which can also be setting up new arenas, already has the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The international locations will host the CHAN between 1-28 February.