The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has voiced deep concern over the increasing exodus of top African football talent to Europe and other continents, warning that the trend is weakening domestic football across Africa.
Motsepe, a seasoned football administrator and former president of South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, has called on African football clubs and stakeholders to prioritize competitive remuneration for players in a bid to retain top talent within the continent.
In a recent statement, Dr. Motsepe emphasized the need to create an attractive and financially stable football environment in Africa that can rival lesser-known European leagues. He noted that unless African clubs offer salaries that are competitive with those offered abroad—particularly in Scandinavian countries and smaller European leagues—Africa’s brightest football stars will continue to seek opportunities overseas.
“If we want to keep the best African players on the continent, we need to pay them well and pay them competitively,” Motsepe said. “From my experience at Mamelodi Sundowns, we were able to compete with clubs from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Greece. We would simply ask players what they were earning there, and then match or better the offer. They often preferred to stay in Africa when we did that.”
Motsepe’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about how to strengthen African football leagues, which have often struggled to retain top talent due to limited financial resources, poor infrastructure, and inconsistent administration. Over the years, countless African players—many of them young and full of promise—have opted to join foreign clubs, lured by the promise of higher wages, better training facilities, and greater exposure on the global stage.
While acknowledging the financial difficulties faced by many African clubs, Motsepe praised those that are making genuine efforts to retain their top players by offering better incentives and improved working conditions.
“I am proud of what many African clubs are doing,” he said. “They are making huge sacrifices—many of them financial—because they genuinely care about the development of football on this continent. Even though some do not have the means, their commitment is admirable.”
Dr. Motsepe, who stepped down as president of Mamelodi Sundowns following his election as CAF President in 2021, is no stranger to the challenges facing African football. During his tenure at Sundowns, he transformed the club into a powerhouse in African football, both on and off the pitch. Under his leadership, the club not only secured multiple domestic titles but also won the CAF Champions League in 2016, setting a standard for how African clubs can achieve success with the right investment and leadership.
Now, as CAF President, Motsepe is determined to replicate that success at a continental level. Central to his vision is the financial sustainability of clubs and the retention of top African talent.
“We cannot build strong African leagues if we continue to lose our best players to leagues where, frankly, the football isn’t necessarily better—just better funded,” Motsepe stressed.
Industry analysts agree that Motsepe’s call for better salaries is timely. According to recent statistics from the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), Africa remains one of the largest exporters of football talent in the world. Hundreds of African players are currently plying their trade in lower-tier European leagues, often in conditions far below the standards of the continent’s top clubs.
“The financial disparity between African leagues and even mid-level European leagues is a major factor behind the brain drain in football,” said Isaac Mensah, a Ghanaian football economist. “But what Motsepe is suggesting—that African clubs start thinking strategically about salaries—is one way to stem that tide. It won’t be easy, but it’s a necessary conversation.”
To support clubs in this endeavor, CAF has initiated several programs aimed at boosting financial transparency and sustainability across the continent. Under Motsepe’s leadership, the organization has also begun working with partners to increase sponsorship and broadcasting revenue—essential components of raising salaries and improving club facilities.
In addition to salary reforms, Dr. Motsepe has advocated for improvements in youth development and grassroots football. He believes that nurturing young talent and creating pathways to professional football within Africa is key to the continent’s long-term footballing success.
“We must build from the ground up,” he said. “Our academies, our school programs, our community clubs—these are the foundations of the future. If we give young African players a reason to believe they can have successful careers at home, they will stay.”
Motsepe’s vision aligns with CAF’s broader goal of elevating African football to global standards. His presidency has seen increased efforts to professionalize club licensing, improve the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, and enhance officiating and administration standards.
Yet, challenges remain. Many clubs across Africa continue to grapple with financial mismanagement, delayed salary payments, and lack of infrastructure. In such an environment, retaining top talent can be an uphill battle.
Nonetheless, Motsepe remains optimistic. He believes that with the right leadership, investment, and commitment, African football can become self-sustaining—and globally competitive.
“Africa is blessed with extraordinary football talent,” he concluded. “Our job is to make sure that talent stays here, flourishes here, and builds a legacy that generations to come can be proud of.”
As CAF continues to push for reforms, stakeholders across the continent will be watching closely to see how Motsepe’s vision unfolds—and whether African clubs can truly begin to compete, not just on the pitch, but in the market for talent.
