Quick Read
- Fouzi Lekjaa, CAF First Vice President, was reportedly absent from today’s CAF Executive Committee meeting.
- The meeting in Dar es Salaam was set to confirm AFCON 2027 hosts and decide AFCON 2028 hosts.
- Morocco, led by Lekjaa’s federation, is a candidate for AFCON 2028.
- No official confirmation or explanation for Lekjaa’s absence has been provided by CAF or FRMF.
- The report of his absence comes from Ghanaian journalist Micky Jnr.
DAR ES SALAAM (Azat TV) – Fouzi Lekjaa, the influential First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), was reportedly absent from a critical CAF Executive Committee meeting held today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His unconfirmed absence has drawn significant attention, particularly as the committee was expected to make pivotal decisions regarding the hosts for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments in 2027 and 2028.
According to reports from Ghanaian journalist Micky Jnr, Lekjaa, a key figure in African football administration, was not present at the highly anticipated gathering. As of early Friday, neither CAF nor the FRMF had issued any official statement confirming or explaining his absence, leaving room for speculation within continental football circles.
CAF Executive Committee Meeting Agenda
The Dar es Salaam meeting carried a weighty agenda, primarily focused on the future of AFCON hosting rights. One of the main points was the expected confirmation of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania as the co-hosts for AFCON 2027. More significantly, the committee was slated to decide on the host nation for AFCON 2028, a highly competitive bid that includes Morocco, Ethiopia, and a joint submission from South Africa and Botswana.
Fouzi Lekjaa’s dual role as CAF First Vice President and the head of the Moroccan football federation makes his potential absence particularly notable in the context of the 2028 AFCON host decision. Morocco is a prominent candidate, and Lekjaa’s presence would typically be expected during such a crucial deliberation.
Unconfirmed Absence and Political Undercurrents
The lack of official communication surrounding Lekjaa’s reported non-attendance has fueled discussions about potential political undercurrents within CAF. High-stakes decisions like AFCON hosting rights often involve intense lobbying and strategic positioning, and the absence of a senior official from a bidding nation could be interpreted in various ways, from a strategic maneuver to an unforeseen circumstance.
Observers are closely watching for any official statements from CAF or the FRMF that might clarify the situation. Until then, the focus remains on the implications of a senior leader’s unconfirmed absence from a meeting tasked with shaping the continent’s premier football tournament for years to come.
The reported absence of such a high-ranking official, especially one whose national federation is actively bidding for a major tournament, signals potential internal dynamics within CAF that could influence the transparency and perceived fairness of the AFCON host selection process.