CAF President praises Gianni Infantino for decade of leadership at FIFA

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has paid tribute to Gianni Infantino as he marks 10 years as President of FIFA, applauding what it described as a transformative period for global football under his stewardship, Sport360NG reports.

In a statement published on its official website on Thursday, CAF commended Infantino’s leadership and highlighted the strengthening relationship between African football’s governing body and FIFA over the past decade.

CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, praised Infantino for his role in expanding and developing the game worldwide.

“CAF congratulates Gianni Infantino on the excellent leadership he has provided as FIFA President over the past 10 years and for his enormous contribution to the development and growth of football throughout the world,” Motsepe said.

He added that African football has found in Infantino a dependable ally at the global level.

“African football and world football have a loyal and trustworthy friend and partner in Gianni Infantino. CAF wishes him good health and everything of the best,” he concluded.

Infantino first assumed office in February 2016 following the departure of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter. His emergence came at a turbulent time for world football, with the organisation seeking to restore credibility after years of controversy.

The Swiss-Italian administrator, previously general secretary of UEFA, secured the presidency after defeating Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in a closely contested election at the FIFA Congress. Infantino polled 115 votes in the second round, ahead of Salman’s 88.

Other contenders in the race included Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne, while South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale withdrew before voting commenced.

Infantino was later re-elected by acclamation in June 2019 at the FIFA Congress in Paris, securing a second term in office.

Over the past decade, CAF’s latest remarks suggest, the partnership between African football and FIFA has deepened, with the continental body framing Infantino’s tenure as one marked by cooperation and global growth.