Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), landed in Dakar early this morning and was welcomed by Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF). The visit follows weeks of intense debate surrounding the CAF’s decision to revoke Senegal’s CAN 2025 title.

According to a CAF statement, Motsepe will first visit Gorée Island before meeting with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He will also hold a press conference at 5:30 PM local time to address pressing issues in African football, including the contentious awarding of the CAN 2025 trophy to Morocco.

In late March, Motsepe announced plans to visit both Senegal and Morocco to emphasize the importance of collaboration for the development of African football. His visit comes amid severe criticism of the CAF following the controversial decision by the CAF Appeals Committee to deprive Senegal of its African championship title in favor of Morocco. The Senegalese Football Federation has since appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a decision expected in the coming months.

The tense context of Motsepe’s visit is further complicated by Senegal’s government demanding an international investigation into allegations of corruption within the CAF’s governing bodies. In response, Motsepe has reiterated that no African nation receives preferential treatment, praising the independence of the CAF’s disciplinary bodies.