Kinshasa, September 15th, 2025 (CPA). – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced on Monday that it had invited a former vice-president of English club Arsenal to be the keynote speaker at its Football Management Programme, scheduled to take place from September 15th, to 17th, in Cairo, Egypt, the CPA has learned on Monday from the website of the continental sports body.
‘The CAF Executive Football Management Programme, to be held from September 15th, to 17th, in Cairo, Egypt, is set to welcome a leading figure in world football: David Dein Mbe, former vice-president of Arsenal FC and the English Football Association, a key figure in the modernisation of the game and the keynote speaker at this year’s event,’ it is read.
According to the source, David Dein Mbe, the architect of the creation of the Premier League in 1992, helped transform the league into a global benchmark, combining sporting success with commercial power. The website added that his innovative vision, constant advocacy of strong governance and commitment to the development of young players make him a source of inspiration for African leaders.
The website stated that during this session of the CAF has indicated the web site the Executive Football Management Programme, David Dein will share his experience on leadership, strategic growth and the globalisation of football, through themes that are in line with the ambitions of CAF and its member associations.
Training for a new generation of leaders
Through this session, CAF aims to nurture future elite of managers: ‘The CAF Executive Football Management Programme aims to train the next generation of leaders who will guide African football with integrity, vision and innovation.’
Sarah Mukuna, Director of CAF Member Associations, has said that the arrival of David Dein and this panel of experts reflects CAF’s commitment to learning from the best, building capacity in Africa, and that with the presence of David Dein and the contribution of this panel of excellence, the CAF Football Management Executive Programme confirms its role as a benchmark platform for building strong leadership and supporting the transformation of African football.
A panel of nine international experts
According to the CAF website, consulted on Monday by the CPA, David Dein Mbe and a panel of many other experts will be present to enrich the debates with their contributions.
They are: Mohammed Wasfy (Micho), CEO of Right to Dream Egypt and FC Masar, pioneer of an integrated educational and sports model; Geoff Wilson: international consultant and former marketing director of the Irish Football Association, specialist in growth and women’s football; Rupert Webster: expert in strategy, media and innovation in stadiums, involved in the technological projects of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA); Nick Said: journalist and media consultant for CAF, with 25 years of experience covering world sport; Usher Komugisha: journalist and commentator, currently with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Media Relations Liaison-Africa; Francesc Sollanelas: professor and sports management consultant, former FC Barcelona executive; Dr Graziella Thake: CEO of The Optimisation Hub, specialising in leadership and athlete wellbeing; Kabelo Bosilong: Managing Director of Sportsense, CAF General Coordinator and Club Licensing Instructor; Tumi Dlamini: Managing Director of the Organisation for Global Africa Cooperation (OGAC), governance expert.