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The recent Club World Cup has once again underscored a familiar pattern in global football, but from a uniquely African perspective. Kgosana Masaseng, the General Secretary of FIFPro Africa, warns that the ever-intensifying football calendar is wearing players down—particularly those from African teams. According to Masaseng, the demands of domestic leagues, continental championships, and national team duties have left players exhausted, and now, without any rest, they’re expected to compete in another global tournament.
I. African Clubs at a Disadvantage
1. Tournament Performance Highlights Existing Gaps
In the latest edition of the Club World Cup, all four African clubs—Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly of Egypt, and Tunisia’s Espérance—exited in the group stages. While there were moments of promise—Sundowns’ energetic display against Borussia Dortmund drew praise—the overall showing exposed the structural weaknesses that still plague African football.
2. Structural Inequities within African Football
Masaseng, once a football journalist, now speaks for Africa’s professional players and is pushing for a radical shift. “Our leagues, by and large, are underfunded and lack proper infrastructure,” he says. His call to action is not just for temporary fixes but for a foundational overhaul that starts with aligning legal frameworks, moves toward professionalisation, and ultimately invests in youth development to sustainably grow African football.
II. Disparities in Value and Talent Drain
1. Vast Financial Gaps Between Clubs
A stark contrast in club valuations illustrates the financial chasm between African teams and their European counterparts. According to Transfermarkt, Al Ahly, Africa’s most valuable club, is worth €48 million—a figure dwarfed by Real Madrid’s valuation of €1.3 billion. Even within Africa, the differences are jarring. Ghana’s Bibiani Gold Stars, newly crowned league champions, are valued at just €1.85 million.
2. Talent Exodus Weakens Local Leagues
Africa’s top players continue to leave in droves, seeking better facilities, higher wages, and career growth abroad. “We’re exporting our best talent before we’ve had the chance to build a marketable domestic product,” says Masaseng. Without retaining star athletes, African football loses not just skill, but also the commercial appeal necessary to drive sponsorship, media coverage, and fan interest.
III. Governance and Accountability as the First Step
1. National Leagues Must Take Initiative
Masaseng believes national leagues must be at the forefront of reform. “They are the ones most affected and should drive the change,” he says. He envisions clubs actively participating in regulatory development through club licensing agreements with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Rather than top-down mandates, Masaseng promotes a collaborative, grassroots-led reform model.
2. Pay Players and Open the Stadiums
It may seem basic, but even ensuring that players receive their wages and that stadiums are functional on matchdays remains a challenge. “We still see clubs qualifying for continental competitions while failing to pay salaries,” Masaseng laments. There have even been instances where matches were abruptly canceled due to stadiums being used for state functions. Such unpredictability discourages media companies from investing in broadcasting rights and diminishes the sport’s professionalism.
IV. The Roadblocks to Progress
1. Lack of Professionalism and Coordination
Masaseng argues that good intentions are scattered across the continent but not unified. “There are pockets of progress, but without coordination, the product remains unsellable,” he explains. A fractured system makes it difficult to present a compelling narrative or standard for investors, broadcasters, and even fans to believe in and support.
2. Need for a Cultural Shift in Management
Changing the narrative around African football also means adopting a culture of professionalism in administration. From stadium logistics to player welfare, every touchpoint matters. When matches are called off at the last minute or when players go unpaid, it erodes trust—both locally and internationally.
V. Signs of Hope Amid the Chaos
1. Growing Audiences Signal Untapped Potential
Despite the challenges, African football has shown that it can attract global attention. The Africa Cup of Nations drew an estimated 1.5 billion viewers across digital platforms in 2023—a testament to the continent’s massive untapped potential. With a proper governance framework, Masaseng believes this interest can be translated into sustainable growth.
2. Money Isn’t Everything—Governance Comes First
“Throwing money at the problem won’t fix it,” Masaseng warns. Without transparent governance and accountability, financial injections risk being mismanaged. The first priority, he stresses, is establishing solid systems—only then can funding lead to genuine, long-term transformation.
VI. A Path Forward for African Football
1. Build Legal and Infrastructural Foundations
Real reform starts with laws and policies that protect players, mandate club licensing, and ensure infrastructure standards are met. National associations must update outdated regulations and ensure consistency across leagues.
2. Develop Youth Talent Locally
Investing in grassroots academies and youth leagues is key to nurturing the next generation. By keeping talent at home and building a pipeline, African clubs can grow into formidable forces that don’t rely on exporting talent for survival.
3. Professionalise League Operations
Clubs must operate like businesses—ensuring contracts are honored, matches are consistently scheduled, and marketing is taken seriously. Only then will media companies, sponsors, and fans be willing to invest time and resources.
Conclusion
African football stands at a defining moment. While the recent Club World Cup exposed glaring weaknesses, it also revealed the depth of potential the continent holds. With proper governance, infrastructural development, and retention of local talent, African football can redefine its place on the global stage—not just as a pipeline for talent, but as a serious competitor in its own right. Kgosana Masaseng’s call is clear: if Africa wants to rise in the football world, it must start by fixing what lies beneath the surface.
