The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has been conferred with the highest Award in Cote d’Ivoire, which is the “Commander of National Order” by the Head of State of Cote d’Ivoire, President Alassane Ouattara, and the Chancellor of National Orders in Abidjan.
The CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba was conferred with the “Officer of the National Order” Award.
President Ouattara said Dr Motsepe has played a key role not only in the successful delivery of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations but also in changing the face and fortunes of African Football.
The Award by the Ivorian Government is also in recognition of Dr Motsepe’s commitment and leadership for delivering the most successful CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the history of this competition.
President Ouattara said: “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.”
Dr Motsepe was joined by the President of FIF Yacine Idriss Diallo, Veron Mosengo-Omba and the leadership of Football in Cote d’Ivoire.
President Motsepe said: “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 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.
The 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.
The 1.4 billion people in 180 countries who watched the AFCON Cote d’Ivoire clearly indicates that African football is globally competitive and is as good as the best in the world. We will continue to invest in academies for boys and girls, schools football, trainers and coaches, the building of stadiums and other football infrastructure and facilities and support our Member Associations.”
Mosengo-Omba also thanked the Ivorian Government for his award.
