Gabon and Fifa working to take African football to the top level

Fifa president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday met with football and state authorities in Gabon to discuss the development of football in the country and exchange ideas for the evolution of the sport in Africa.

The one-day visit included a meeting with Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who showed great interest and support for the recent proposals of president Infantino to bring African football to the highest level, including through the professionalisation of an elite group of referees, the mobilisation of around USD 1 billion to invest in Fifa standard stadiums in every country and the development of new and better competitions to generate more revenues.

Infantino also took this opportunity to exchange with the Gabon Football Federation (GFF) leadership and to visit the GFF headquarters.

“I am grateful for today’s audience with President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is a great football fan. I would like to thank him for his support for our plans to bring African football to the top.

“Gabon has naturally talented players and it is important to create the conditions for them to be able to play at the highest level in their home country and continent. There is a real passion for football here,” the Fifa president said at the conclusion of the various engagements.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo