CAF praises Infantino for a decade of FIFA leadership, citing global growth and strong partnership with African football

The Confédération Africaine de Football on Thursday congratulated Gianni Infantino on completing ten years as President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, describing the period as marked by outstanding and transformative leadership.

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In a statement published on its official website and titled “CAF congratulates Gianni Infantino on his outstanding 10-year leadership as FIFA President,” the African football governing body said the milestone offered an opportunity to reflect on its evolving partnership with FIFA.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe commended Gianni Infantino for what he called excellent stewardship of the global game.

Patrice Motsepe said CAF recognised Gianni Infantino’s enormous contribution to the development and growth of football worldwide over the past decade.

Patrice Motsepe added that African football and world football have a loyal and trustworthy friend and partner in Gianni Infantino, wishing him good health and continued success.

Gianni Infantino assumed office in February 2016 following the departure of Sepp Blatter, at a time when FIFA faced intense scrutiny and reputational challenges.

Gianni Infantino was re-elected by acclamation in June 2019 at the FIFA Congress in Paris for a second term.

At the time of his first election, Gianni Infantino secured a decisive victory over Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, pledging to steer the scandal-hit organisation into a new era.

The Swiss-Italian football administrator, who previously served as general secretary of Union of European Football Associations, won 115 votes in the second round of the 2016 election, while Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa received 88.

Other contenders in that race included Prince Ali bin al Hussein, Jerome Champagne and Tokyo Sexwale.

CAF praises Infantino at a time when cooperation between FIFA and African football bodies has expanded through development funding, competitions and governance reforms.

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The statement underscored the continent’s recognition of what it described as a powerful era of collaboration.