Unpacking Power Struggles in African Football: The Rise of the Association of African Clubs (ACA)
Behind the rhetoric surrounding the development of African football, a more complex reality emerges: that of an increasingly assertive struggle for influence between different centers of power.
The recent creation of the Association of African Clubs (ACA), based in Rabat, is a telling illustration of this. Far from being merely a sports coordination framework, this structure is part of a larger geopolitical dynamic where sports become a strategic lever.
Vers une nouvelle architecture du pouvoir continental
The establishment of the ACA marks a significant step in the transformation of African football. Officially, the goal is clear: to structure and professionalize competitions. But behind the scenes, this initiative challenges several regional actors eager to have more say in decision-making, outside the traditional circuits long dominated by Cairo.
This type of organization offers concrete levers:
- influence over sporting regulations
- steering economic choices
- redefining the strategic priorities of African football
In reality, the ACA is becoming a true instrument of influence that unsettles some African actors. Its presence in Rabat, combined with the FIFA Africa office in the Moroccan capital, significantly strengthens Morocco’s position as a central hub of continental football.
Le Maroc consolide son statut de puissance sportive
For several years, Morocco has pursued a consistent and ambitious strategy to establish itself as a key player. Investments in infrastructure, active cooperation with African federations, and hosting major events: all these elements have gradually strengthened its institutional weight.
The installation of the ACA and the FIFA office in Rabat consolidates this rise to power. It contributes to a rebalancing of power dynamics on the continent, long marked by a centralization of power elsewhere.
Un axe concurrent en réaction
In response to this dynamic, an informal axis seems to be forming around influential capitals such as Cairo, Algiers, and to a lesser extent, Pretoria. The goal of this group is clear: to prevent Morocco from progressing and preserve their positions by using existing institutional mechanisms.
This alignment seeks to maintain control over decision-making centers, steer reforms in their interests, and contain the expansion of emerging actors like the Moroccan Kingdom.
In this context, the hostile media campaigns observed in Egypt and Algeria reflect a desire to slow down this reshuffling of the deck and downplay Morocco’s growing influence.
Le rôle de l’Algérie dans l’équation régionale
In this rebalancing of power, Algeria appears as a particularly active player, often positioned to support initiatives that could contain Moroccan influence.
Without necessarily structuring direct leadership, Algiers adopts a circumstantial ally posture with various opposing actors to Morocco’s rise. It allies itself with Senegal in the matter of the 2025 AFCON final and also aligns as an ally of Egypt in its battle for influence.
This strategy fits into a broader logic of regional rivalry, where the sports arena becomes an extension of political power dynamics. By aligning tactically with other poles of influence, Algeria seeks primarily to curb the expansion of the Moroccan model and prevent the emergence of a single footballing powerhouse in Rabat.
One element frequently highlighted in Moroccan readings of these power dynamics: whenever Algeria aligns, directly or indirectly, with actors perceived as opposing the Kingdom, the outcome tends to favor Morocco. This observation is sometimes presented as a kind of “constant” in the evolution of regional balances.
Instead of direct confrontation, Morocco prioritizes an approach rooted in soft power, with a strategy focused on active and discreet sports diplomacy, strong bilateral partnerships, and a concrete and attractive development model.
This silent and progressive method aims to build a lasting influence, focusing on alignment rather than confrontation.
Le siège de la CAF, enjeu stratégique majeur
Among the sensitive issues that irk the Egyptians is the question of transferring the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football, a potential tipping point. A shift of the decision-making center from Cairo to Rabat would not be a mere logistical adjustment but a strategic turning point resulting in:
- a redefinition of influence networks
- a transformation of administrative balances
- a reshuffling of alliances within the continent
This hypothesis partly explains the tensions observed, as some actors seek to maintain a favorable status quo to their historical interests.
A Decisive Turning Point for African Football
What is happening today goes beyond the realm of sports. African football has become a space for the expression of geopolitical power dynamics, where national ambitions, influence strategies, and economic interests intertwine.
With upcoming continental and international events on the horizon, a profound reconfiguration appears to be underway. It could bring an end to certain inherited balances of the past and usher in a new era marked by a redistribution of power centers.
More than ever, every institutional decision, alliance, and initiative fits into a broader strategic logic. In Africa, football is no longer just a game; it has become a true instrument of power.
