Former Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph Antoine Bell has expressed reservations about the current leadership of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) under the presidency of Patrice Motsepe. Bell has notably criticized the decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, a measure he considers unfavorable to the interests of African football.
Bell questions Motsepe's leadership, suggesting that he has "forgotten to be a dictator" as often seen in African organizations. According to Bell, Motsepe allows too much room for committees, which make decisions that may even go against his own preferences. He cites an appeals jury that made a decision that Motsepe had to assume, even if he was not directly involved.
The former Cameroonian international questions the lack of consultation with the 54 member countries of CAF regarding the change of the AFCON to a four-year cycle. "CAF is 54 countries. Where are the 54 countries when it is decided that the AFCON will be played every 4 years?" he asked. He regrets that the federation presidents have not spoken out on this issue, as they are the representatives of CAF.
Bell also criticizes the lack of transparency surrounding the proposed African Nations League, which was supposed to compensate for the AFCON's move to a four-year cycle. He believes that Africans should have been presented with a "fully detailed" Nations League at the same time as the announcement of the change in AFCON frequency, in order to understand the benefits of this new format.
According to Bell, the argument put forward to justify the AFCON every four years is to solve the problem of European clubs who complain about having to release their African players in the middle of the season. However, he questions the effectiveness of this solution, pointing out that clubs will continue to complain every four years, and that managers and coaches will always have the same grievances.
Bell compares the current situation to that of Issa Hayatou, who was also criticized when he led CAF. He points out that every leader is likely to be attacked and accused of favoritism.
In conclusion, Joseph Antoine Bell calls for better governance and greater involvement of member federations in CAF decisions. He insists that CAF is the association of the 54 member countries, and that federation presidents must assume their share of responsibility for the decisions taken.
