After being at the helm for the most successful Africa Cup of Nations ever earlier this year, Dr. Patrice Motsepe has been given a major honour.
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During the opening ceremony of the 2023 AFCON, the South African executive prophesised that the 34th edition of the continental showpiece would be the best in the tournament's history, and that was to be the case.
It was the AFCON which had the most goals scored, with 119 strikes put into the back of the net, while off the pitch it was also a commercial success. According to the former Mamelodi Sundowns chairman himself, the competition generated $80 million (R1.4 million) in net profit.
It was hosted in Ivory Coast and now, the west African nation has conferred Motsepe with the prize of Commander of National Order, the highest award in the country. The honour was given to him not only for helping host a spectacular AFCON, but also for his overall work as CAF president.
The country's president Alassane Ouattara said, as per CAF Online: "We are exceptionally proud of the work President Motsepe has done since taking over at CAF. The success of the Africa Cup of Nations is thanks to his and CAF's leadership. The Award is in recognition of the excellent work he is doing at CAF and in promoting football development in Africa."
The Pretoria native was gracious in his acceptance of the award as well, stating: "I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this Award on behalf of the CAF Member Associations representing the 54 African countries that are Members of CAF.
"My deepest gratitude to President Ouattara, the Government and people of Cote d'Ivoire for this distinguished Award. The enormous success of the TotalEnergies AFCON Cote d'Ivoire was based on the visionary leadership of President Ouattara, the commitment of his Government as well as the support of CAF's 54 Member Associations, the CAF EXCO, the Secretary General and staff of CAF, President Idriss Diallo, the LOC, the Football Leadership in Cote d'Ivoire, CAF sponsors and the passionate Cote d'Ivoire and African football supporters.
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"The TotalEnergies AFCON Cote d'Ivoire was also an excellent example of football's capacity to bring together and unite people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds in Africa and worldwide."
