By George Aluo
Organizers of Africa Youth Cup, Africa’s response to similar global international youth soccer tournaments, have congratulated the duo of Dr Patrice Motsepe and Amaju Melvin Pinnick on their emergence as CAF president and FIFA Council member respectively.
The two soccer buffs were among those elected last week in Rabat, Morocco to lead African football at a rancor-free CAF elections.
According to Godson Abba Ekadi, President, Africa Youth Cup, the continent got it right in Morocco.
In his words…”This is incredibly, good news for our continent, Africa got it right this time. We have announced to the world our intention and vision to move African football to the next level in terms of development and administration.
We appreciate and salute the other three candidates for the CAF Presidency for withdrawing to pave the way for Dr Patrice Motsepe.”
Godson Abba Ekadi stressed that Ahmed Yahya, Augustin Senghor, and Jacques Anouma should also be celebrated for showing such unity and sportsmanship.
Ekadi noted that Amaju Melvin Pinnick is revolutionising football and the management of the beautiful game in Nigeria and deserves his position in FIFA Council.
“He (Amaju) is the first to introduce private sector initiative and branding of Nigerian national teams, in fact Nigeria is blessed to have him at the helm of affairs. The new CAF President on his part is no stranger to football, he has been the President of South African’s Mamelodi Sundowns for almost two decades, our President is bringing his wealth of experience both in business and football to bear in moving African football in the right direction and our prayers are with him always.”
Ekadi disclosed that plans are on-going for the next edition of the prestigious Africa Youth Cup International Soccer Tournament. The tournament is Africa’s response to similar global international youth soccer events. It is designed to promote football academies in Africa and to showcase the skills of their players for offshore soccer career opportunities.
“We are aware of the contributions of football academies to the development of football in Africa. This is why in April 2019; we organized the maiden edition of the Africa Youth Cup in Cape Verde to compliment the efforts of CAF in grassroots football development programmes. Once again, we celebrate Amaju Pinnick and Dr Patrice Motsepe. Indeed, these are exciting times for the growth of football in Africa,” Ekadi stated.
