Historic MoU Between CAF And UCT Aims To Transform Football Governance

Education has long been a tool to provide opportunities to many across Africa and even the world. Another tool has been sports, specifically football for many across Africa, both young and old. The “beautiful game,” as it is fondly called, has been ingrained in the continent’s culture However, the lack of governance and infrastructure has meant that the greatest talents, both on and off the pitch, would take their exploits to Europe or the United States.

The two have seldom met, as the focus has always been on attaining success either on or off the pitch. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT), will change that narrative. The football body has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the institution, which will see UCT provide bespoke courses and programs to administrators in their member associations. This initiative will aim to drive knowledge, improve governance, and equip them with the skills to strengthen and propel the organisation and the sport in Africa forward.

Why UCT, you ask? Sarah Mukuna, Director of CAF’s Member Associations, explained to Forbes.com the reasons for partnering with the institution and the importance of the program and its objectives. UCT is ranked in the top 1.3% of all universities worldwide in 2024 according to the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). Mukuna expressed that the decision to partner with UCT was easy for CAF, stating, “As CAF, we needed an education partner to assist with capacity building and to provide our member associations with the necessary tools to handle the complexities of modern football administration. Who better to partner with than the best university in Africa?”

The first cohort of participants is scheduled to begin in late August under the MoU. They will undergo an intensive curriculum designed to provide theoretical and practical skills in football administration, finance, marketing, legal, and strategic management. Upon completion, participants will be able to earn a diploma and certificates.

These courses have been designed with real-life applications in mind, allowing administrators to apply and share their knowledge across the 54 member associations on the continent. “The main courses will focus on the following pillars; leadership, governance, legal, and commercialisation. To ensure that the program has real-world impact, we have guest speakers from the industry alongside professors to ensure a dynamic learning experience,” said Mukuna

To address the different challenges of member associations, the program will utilise technology with a hybrid approach. Meaning courses will be offered online and on-site.

“One of the primary challenges is the varying levels of infrastructure and resources among our member associations in their respective countries and travelling in Africa is really challenging,” says Mukuna. “To address this, we will adopt a flexible approach, tailoring programs to meet the needs and contexts of each association.”

Upon graduation, CAF aims to keep the momentum going through mentorship and other initiatives to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of the programme on all graduates to address gaps in administrative skills and capacity.

“Regular follow-up workshops and key action plans, continuous professional development opportunities, and a strong alumni network will help maintain the momentum,” explains Mukuna. “Additionally, we will establish monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of the training and make necessary adjustments to enhance effectiveness.”

The MoU not only has the potential to benefit the Member Associations but also aims to improve the perception of African football and sports by promoting excellence based on professionalism. Mukuna explains, “By establishing a strong administrative infrastructure, we can elevate the overall quality of football management on the continent, making African football globally competitive and sustainable. This, in turn, will attract more investment, partnerships, and opportunities for our member associations.”

The programme’s success in the years to come would increase the competitiveness of Africa on the international stage as a sports economy while simultaneously uplifting Africans.

“We anticipate the emergence of a new generation of talented leaders who will drive African football forward, bringing about tangible improvements in organisational performance, financial sustainability, and competitive success on the international stage,” says Mukuna. “This partnership marks a significant milestone for CAF. It is the realisation of a long-held vision by our President, Dr Patrice Motsepe to uplift Africans and African football through education, ultimately contributing to the overall growth and development of African football, ensuring its bright future.”

Building on the momentum from the recent success of the Africa Cup of Nations, the partnership between CAF and UCT is pivotal for football on the continent. As the focus shifts to enhancing the quality of the game and its administration, this initiative aims to ensure that African football not only excels on the field but also thrives off it. This initiative will create opportunities to attract investments, partnerships, and sponsorships across the continent and enhance the global competitiveness of African football.