Afcon 2023: Increase in prize money key to gap narrowing, says Caf boss Motsepe

Motsepe is proud that this Nations Cup has been so thrilling to watch.

“For all of the nations in Africa, the quality of football has increased enormously,” Motsepe said.

“We need to get the spectators to enjoy watching our football. It’s got to be appealing, it’s got to be attractive, it’s got to be exciting – because then it has a commercial value.

“And we can use some of that commercial value to pay our players and our technical teams and the coaches and the administrators.

“I must just say I’m proud, and I don’t know who’s going to win. I can tell you the 54 nations in Africa have each been a winner.”

Aside from the entertaining football in Ivory Coast, much praise has also been levelled on the high standard of refereeing – with Motespe acknowledging the boost it gives to the reputation of African football.

“The quality of our referees, the quality of our match commissioners, the quality of our linesman and the quality of our VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has been world class.

“And the integrity, the independence, and the African referees – we are confident – are as good as the best in the world.

“One of our important aims is that African football must be recognised and be respected because of what we do on the field of play to be as good as the best in the world.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done. But at the end of the day, we are all judged by our results.

“When an African nation is champion of the world, then we will get the acknowledgement we deserve.”