The president of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has called on Africans to remain confident in the continent’s football progress despite ongoing controversies surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

‎Speaking at a press briefing in Dakar on Wednesday, Motsepe acknowledged the challenges facing the game but insisted they should not overshadow the strides made in recent years.

‎“I’m enormously happy because by all standards, we have made enormous progress,” he said. “But there will always be problems, and we must not allow them to discourage us.”

‎His comments come amid heightened tensions following CAF’s decision to overturn Senegal’s 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the 2025 AFCON final. The match, played on 18 January, was later awarded to Morocco after CAF ruled that Senegal had breached regulations by walking off the pitch.

‎The decision has sparked outrage in Senegal, with government officials calling for an international investigation into alleged corruption within African football’s governing body. The Senegalese Football Federation has since lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

‎Motsepe, however, urged a broader perspective, warning against a narrative that undermines confidence in African institutions.

‎“When there are problems, we must deal with them and continue to make progress,” he said. “We should not feel demotivated or uninspired by temporary setbacks.”

‎The CAF president is expected to travel to Morocco in the coming days as part of efforts to ease tensions and restore confidence.

‎With the dispute still unresolved, the episode represents one of the most significant governance challenges facing African football in recent years, but Motsepe remains adamant that the continent’s long-term progress should remain the focus.