Fifa president Sepp Blatter says world football must “respect” Africa.
Blatter, who is seeking re-election in May, will attend the Confederation of African Football congress next week.
His rivals for the presidency including Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who say FIFA’s scandal-tainted image needs reform, will also be at the meeting and have been lobbying African leaders.
“When we travel to Cairo for the CAF congress next week, we must show African football all the great appreciation and respect it deserves,” Blatter said in his column FIFA’s The Weekly magazine.
The 79-year-old FIFA president said “the refreshing skills and technical finesse of the African teams are among the greatest attractions at the World Cup”.
Two African nations reached the World Cup last 16 in Brazil for the first time.
Africa has long been a strong supporter of Blatter and has declared it will back him in the May 30 FIFA election.
His three rivals for the FIFA presidency — Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, a FIFA vice president, Dutch federation chief Michael van Praag and former Portugal star Luis Figo — are expected to be in Cairo for the CAF congress.
Blatter’s comments appear well-timed, coming ahead of Caf’s meeting Cairo, which will also be attended by his three rivals three rivals for the Fifa presidency – Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, a Fifa vice-president, Dutch federation chief Michael van Praag and former Portugal star Luis Figo.
The election will take at Fifa’s congress, held from 29 May, and Caf’s 54 members – the biggest voting block on Fifa – will have a significant say on the outcome.
