With speculation suggesting that FIFA president Gianni Infantino interferes in CAF affairs, the president of Africa's football governing body, Patrice Motsepe, has now refuted the claims.
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Ahead of Banyana Banyana's victory in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations final on Saturday, the former Mamelodi Sundowns executive was questioned about his relationship with the FIFA president.
Infantino has been an ever-present at CAF events ever since Motsepe was elected to head the highest office in African football, most notably appearing at both the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon earlier this year, and now the WAFCON in Morocco.
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However, Motsepe has insisted there is nothing menacing about the Swiss-Italian's presence, emphasising the necessity for the relationship's existence.
"There are things we agree upon and things we don't. I focus on commercial and making African football money, and this Infantino thing is an old story for me," the 60-year-old said, as per the Sunday Times.
"I don't know who's influencing who because there's a concern that Africa is influencing Infantino.
"Let me tell you this, Africa needs partners."
Motsepe also denied claims that Morocco receives preferential treatment from CAF.
The South African businessman had already refuted these allegations following the final of the 2021/22 CAF Champions League, which was hosted in Casablanca, but they once again resurfaced with the north African nation also hosting the WAFCON and this year's CAF Awards.
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"Sometimes Morocco are the only bidder," Motsepe added.
"It's a special country. King Mohammad VI is passionate about football. May he be blessed. I encourage other countries to bid to host events, I'd like to see Uganda hosting something.
"I'd like to see a beach soccer tournament going to Mozambique."
