The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has paid tribute to Gianni Infantino as he marks 10 years at the helm of global football’s governing body.
In a statement published on Thursday on its official website under the headline, “CAF congratulates Gianni Infantino on his outstanding 10-year leadership as FIFA President,” the African football authority reflected on what it described as a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with FIFA over the past decade.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised Infantino’s stewardship and the wider impact of his tenure on the game across continents.
“CAF congratulates Gianni Infantino on the excellent leadership that he has provided as FIFA President over the past 10 years and for his enormous contribution to the development and growth of football throughout the world,” Motsepe said.
He went further, stressing the significance of that leadership for Africa and beyond.
“African Football and world football have a loyal and trustworthy friend and partner in Gianni Infantino.
“CAF wishes him good health and everything of the best,” he concluded.
Infantino first assumed office in February 2016 following the exit of his predecessor, Sepp Blatter, at a time when FIFA’s credibility had been badly shaken by corruption scandals. The Swiss-Italian administrator, who previously served as general secretary of UEFA, pledged to restore confidence and guide the organisation into a new chapter.
His initial election victory came after a keenly contested race at the FIFA Congress. Infantino secured 115 votes in the second round to defeat Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who polled 88.
Prince Ali bin al Hussein managed 27 votes in the opening ballot but only four in the run-off, while former FIFA official Jerome Champagne picked up seven votes in the first round and none in the decisive stage. South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale withdrew before voting began.
Three years later, in June 2019, Infantino was re-elected by acclamation at the FIFA Congress in Paris, standing unopposed for a second four-year term.
Over the course of his presidency, FIFA has expanded its competitions and increased investment in development programmes, with Africa among the regions that have benefited from enhanced funding and broader participation opportunities.
