ZIFA Respond To Patrice Motsepe Winning CAF Presidency

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has sent a message to new Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe after he was elected as its new chief last Friday.

See pictures of Motsepe in Morocco last week Friday!

The departing Mamelodi Sundowns president was elected as the new president of African football last week after running unopposed.

Many, including ZIFA, are delighted with CAF's appointment of the 59-year-old, who has become the first South African to hold the position.

Philemon Machana, a member of the Zimbabwean association, attended the congress last week in Morocco, and has since sent an incredible message of congratulations to Motsepe.

"We thank everyone who made this a reality, including the contribution of those that later saw our vision," he said, according to Bulawayo24.

"We are grateful the majority later changed tact and bought into the vision, including the competitors of the new CAF president who chose to support the best man available for the job.

Click through the gallery below to see 30 players Motsepe brought to Mamelodi Sundowns from overseas! 

Alje Schut joined from FC Utrecht in 2012

Collins Mbesuma signed from Bursaspor in 2008

In 2019 Mauricio Affonso joined from Alianza Lima

Matthew Booth left Russia to come home

Dillono Sheppard left Greece to return to SA

Peter Ndlovu left Englands to sign for Downs in 2004

Sibusiso Zuma came from Arminia Bielefeld in 2008

In 2018 Downs signed Toni Silva after a spell in Greece

Rashid Sumaila joined from Asante Kotoko

Bryan Aldave was recruited from Venezuela

Gaston Sirino also came from South America

So did Jorge Acuna

And Ricardo Nascimento

Ali Meza was another import from South America

Jose Torrealba was a notable recruit from South America, too

August Makalakalane joined Downs from Switzerland in 1997

Rafael Dudamel came from Deportivo Táchira

Farez Hachi came from Algeria

Nyasha Mushekwi came form CAPS United

OJ Mabizela came from Norway

Andile Jali was a free agent from Belgium

Josta Dladla was also a free agent from Denmark

Vincente Principano arrived from South America

Ghana No.1 at the time, Brimah Razak was signed from Spain

Simba Marumo had been playing in Bulgaria

Leonardo Castro came from South America

Phakamani Mahlambi joined from Al Ahly

Anele Ngcongca after spells in Belgium and France

Fiston Abdul Razak moved from a club in Kenya

Soumahoro Bangaly joined from ASEC Mimosas

"We say well done to Motsepe. We, as ZIFA, will do whatever we can to support his tenure and vision for the development of the game in Africa. It's SAFA (South African Football Association), ZIFA and Nigeria which made the Motsepe's dream a reality. After 48 countries had been railroaded to endorse Ahmad, ZIFA refused to do so.

"Had ZIFA not stood its ground, Motsepe would not have found sufficient nominators to stand in the election as one can't nominate two candidates for the same post.

"We went for Motsepe because of his rich reputation as a professional, a deal broker, stable family man and a football individual whose footprints in both commerce and sport are there for all to see.

Ertugral: How Motsepe Will Change CAF

"This gentleman, who is a philanthropist of note, is easy-going, firm and effective. We want to celebrate what the incumbent CAF president is going to do for our football with his team of dedicated men and women."