Egypt giants Al Ahly suffered 2-0 defeat to Morocco’s Wydad in Mohammed V Stadium on 30th May to lose Caf African Champions League title. Wydad enjoyed home advantage as CAF decided to hold the final game in Morocco.
The game was surrounded by controversies, taking place in Morocco despite one of the two finale sides being Wydad Casablanca.
Although tickets were supposed to be allocated equally between both sides, Wydad’s fans outnumbered the small Ahly contingent that made the trip to Casablanca. And moreover, the CAF handed the supposed empty Al Ahly seats to the fans. After the game, Pitso criticized CAF decision to play the final in Morocco, stating that it was unfair to his side.
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He also stressed that CAF were responsible for him not being able to use his players in the Club World Cup as it took place during the Africa Cup of Nations.
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However, CAF head of operations and media relations Luxolo September responded to Mosimane’s claims, calling them ‘completely inaccurate’.
“We’ve noticed the comments by the coach. And there are a couple of things that are completely inaccurate.” September told iDiski Times.
“A clear issue for example is the comment made that the AFCON date was put at the same time as the FIFA Club World Cup by CAF. We all know this is absolute nonsense. Because the AFCON date was set in 2019.“The AFCON date was set in 2019. The Club World Cup date was set in November 2021, with a month or so to go to the tournament in Cameroon.
“The dates of the Club World Cup were not set by CAF. How is this president Motsepe’s fault, I don’t know? Was he expected to move 52 matches of AFCON? The dates were set even before Mr Motsepe was the president of CAF.
“It’s not CAF who decided on the date of the Club World Cup. It’s not a CAF tournament.
“The second point I want to raise is the CAF Champions League final in Casablanca. There are a lot of allegations from coach Pitso, especially against the CAF president.” He continued.
Also Read : PITSO MOSIMANE BLAMES AL AHLY’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLE LOSS ON CAF
“First of all, the CAF is bound by the regulations of CAF. There was a decision made not by Patrice Motsepe but by the CAF Executive, based on a bidding process that was followed.
“By the time there was an opportunity to select the venue, only two countries were left: Senegal and Morocco. Senegal withdraw and CAF was duty-bound to select Morocco.
“You know that Al Ahly took that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne and they lost. Because there is no process that was not followed.
“It was not a Motsepe decision to move the final to Casablanca, it is a CAF decision – a CAF decision which had followed all processes.
“Ok, maybe you don’t like the process. It’s ok not to like the process and I understand that the coach and other people might not like the process.
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“But I think it’s unfair to personalise it. I’m just simply looking at facts. And the facts are simply not supporting this idea that there is a conspiracy somewhere.” He added.