Confederation of African Football (CAF) held a fruitful Strategy Conference in Santa Maria, Cape Verde, this week with an emphasis on finding direction for the future of the game on the continent.
The conference, which spanned three days, brought together distinguished guests from all 54 Members of CAF, including Federation Presidents, national team coaches and international football experts.
The main focus was on football development, institutional strategy and detailed analysis of Africa’s performances at this year’s World Cup that saw 9 of the 10 representatives reaching the knockout stages.
Here are some of the key items that were discussed at the conference:
Setting sights on World Cup excellence
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe believes that African Nations should be focusing on winning the World Cup given the tremendous improvements over the years.
“There is a big gap between good plans, good intentions and what we do practically in terms of investments and results. We are judged by results. We have to win the World Cup. We are going to win the World Cup. One of the nations from Africa will win the World Cup,” Motsepe said, as quoted by CAF.
Wholesome growth of the game across Africa
Motsepe believes there are key areas where African teams must put emphasis in order to aid the development of the game. These include: increased investment in Member Associations, football development, coaching, youth structures, administration and stronger commercial and broadcasting partnerships.
It’s the small details that matter
FIFA’s Chief of Football Development, Arsene Wenger, who also attended the conference, stated that the game is now determined on fine margins and indicated that it’s where Africa must focus.
“In the past, African teams sometimes lost because of a lack of compactness, too much distance between the lines and inconsistent concentration,” he said. “At this World Cup, it was difficult to beat any African team because the discipline and organisation were at the top level.”
But he also warned that the remaining margins were small and decisive.
“We are very close, but a small percentage can cost you the game. Most of these games were lost by one goal, so every detail in the modern game becomes absolutely vital.”
Coaches share World Cup experience
Coaches who managed teams at this year’s World Cup shared their experiences and indicated that there is need to improve on how strategies of the games are done.
Bubista, who led Cape Verde during their historic debut campaign, stressed the value of clear objectives and tactical flexibility.
“We cannot think about only one strategy,” he said. “We have to have more than one strategy — one when we don’t have the ball, another when we have the ball, and another when we cannot attack quickly.”
Target 2030
The Strategy laid out seeks to see progress by 2030 in the coaching aspect, and four key elements were highlighted.
1- Get into the box
More receptions in the box, fewer attempts at goal from distance.
2- Win it back faster and higher
More high turnovers, quicker recovery
3- Late goals are not a fitness problem
The fix is control, not fitness
4- Keep what works
Defending, Set plays, Resistance
