By The Teranga of Senegal obliges us to observe protocol courtesies. Senegal, which welcomes you, opens its arms and heart, is a country of resilient men and women. They have built their history on the marble of resistance. From slavery and the slave trade to current events that motivate your trip, Senegalese have always known how to face adversity by placing justice as a beacon.
The resistance to the ravages of colonization, the sacrifices made during the world wars, have been indelible markers of the Senegalese DNA. This means you are arriving in a country that knows how to say no when injustice and iniquity invite themselves into relations between men and peoples.
South Africa, your country, that rainbow nation, understood this well when it counted on Senegal during apartheid. Senegalese genius contributed, with other forces of the world, to fighting the yoke of man’s domination over man. If the United Nations system and human rights organizations have conquered spaces of freedom and recognition, it is also thanks to this spirit of resistance.
Should you forget these episodes of your history? Have Nelson Mandela, Breyten Breytenbach, Steve Biko become mere museum pieces in your memory and that of those they liberated?
Mister Motsepe, you are at home in Senegal, land of Teranga and tolerance. But you are also arriving in a country that knows how to tell the truth with kindness: gentle and suitable, but firm and resolute.
Between African brothers, we must tell you that you and the CAF, our confederation, have not played the game with Africa. The actions taken before, during, and after the CAN 2025 final do not honor an organization we have contributed to valuing through the talent and success of our players.
You have failed in your duty and betrayed, in part, the mission of this still fragile organization, which deserved to grow without outrageously political interference.
Today, your trip is perhaps a way to restore the balance that your decisions have weakened.
Welcome. We listen to you.
However, know this: Teranga is not weakness, it is a requirement.
By setting foot on the soil of Léopold Sedar Senghor and Cheikh Anta Diop’s country, you must understand that African football can no longer be managed like a simple financial holding or an annex of FIFA.
The confidence crisis brewing between the base and the top of CAF calls for a profound refoundation of its structures. The current governance suffers from centralism that stifles regional initiatives.
This is why several tracks are essential:
- Reinforced autonomy of zones (UFOA, CECAFA, COSAFA, etc.), so that development comes from the ground and not from above.
- Total budgetary transparency, with systematic and public audits of funds intended for the development of local infrastructure and competitions.
- Irreproachable ethics, guaranteed by a truly independent arbitration commission, sheltered from the pressures of confederation « barons ».
Your trip to Senegal must mark a turning point. Either CAF chooses the path of reform and respect for its most deserving members, or it sinks into an unprecedented legitimacy crisis.
The Senegalese genius, which has always overcome adversity through resistance and dignity, is watching you.
We are not simply asking to be heard. We demand to be respected.
Mamadou Kassé
