Jessica Motaung explains Morocco base for African Club Association HQ

The Kaizer Chiefs marketing director is one of two deputies in the recently formed organisation, and was in Rabat this week to sign the memorandum of understanding alongside president Hersi Said, while also attending the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations draw. 

The Premier Soccer League were in support of having the headquarters in Johannesburg, but Motaung has explained to SABC Sport why they opted for North Africa instead.

"Well, with the great opportunity with the ACA, we have been very deliberate in trying to find a host country for our headquarters, and obviously it was exciting to see South Africa put their bid into the hat, Algeria also put in a bid, and obviously Morocco," said Motaung.

"It's unfortunate that South Africa didn't really take up the opportunity, certainly, I think, with what's happening in the country, the minister is focussing on certain things, our federation [SAFA] is dealing with a lot, and I think just our country is dealing with a lot.

"So it's very sad, I think it would have great for the South to have representation on the continent in terms of club football, with the kind of League that we have – an excellent league that is well run and is really commercialised, it would have been great for SA.

"But certainly congratulations to Morocco, they put in a great bid, they provided great facilities and infrastructure, and great support, so we look forward to having the office here and really being hear during a time when football is really focussed in Morocco.

"There's international football, the tournaments they're putting together, the hosting of the [2030 FIFA] World Cup, so it's really going to be an incredible time.

"And I think it's also bringing African football more closely into Morocco – sometimes the North African countries have been seen as very European focussed, so I think it's great that the melting pot will be here for this time."

READ: Patrice Motsepe explains CAF's new R7 billion Total Energies deal