David Dein to headline guest speakers at the CAF Football Executive Management Programme

The Confédération Africaine de Football’s (CAF) Football Executive Management Programme is honoured to welcome David Dein MBE, one of the most influential figures in modern football, as the keynote guest speaker for its latest edition.

As former Vice-Chairman of Arsenal FC and the English Football Association, Dein has been at the forefront of football’s transformation over the last three decades. He was instrumental in the creation of the Premier League in 1992, helping to shape it into the most commercially successful and globally recognised football competition in the world.

Dein will share insights from his remarkable career on leadership, strategic growth, and the globalisation of football, offering invaluable lessons for African football leaders seeking to accelerate progress both on and off the pitch.

The programme, run in partnership with the University of Cape Town, will get under way with a three-day workshop at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre in Cairo from 15-17 September 2025.

In all, the programme contains 69 on-site teaching hours and 42 hours of online sessions, taking in 14 modules. Sessions will be held in Cairo, Rabat and Cape Town with 35 participants drawn from across the continent.

It will run from September 2025 to January 2026, and for the first time there will be a French-language edition, run in conjunction with the Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD) in Senegal to provide the same opportunity to up to 30 Francophone Member Associations.

Alongside David Dein, the programme will feature a distinguished panel of experts, including:

• Mohammed Wasfy (“Micho”) – CEO and Board Member, Right to Dream Egypt and FC Masar, leading a holistic model of education, character, and elite football training. His leadership has positioned Right to Dream and FC Masar as pioneering forces in Egyptian football development.
• Geoff Wilson – Global sports consultant and former Head of Marketing & Communications at the Irish FA. Wilson has advised federations, leagues, and clubs worldwide, creating practical models that drive growth, fan engagement, and women’s football.
• Rupert Webster – International strategist and lecturer with expertise spanning football development, media, and stadium innovation. He has helped European federations align local strategies with international best practice while advancing UEFA’s technology in stadium operations.
• Nick Said – Veteran sports journalist, Business Director of The Content Company, and CAF media consultant. With over 25 years covering global sport, he brings unmatched knowledge of African football media and communications.
• Usher Komugisha – FIFA Media Relations Liaison – Africa, award-winning journalist and commentator with 15 years’ experience. She has covered global tournaments, from AFCON to the Olympics, and is recognised as one of Africa’s most influential voices in sport.
• Francesc Sollanelas – Sports management professor and consultant, former FC Barcelona executive, and mentor in UEFA and IOC programmes. He has led major strategic planning projects and continues to shape governance standards across Europe.
• Dr Graziella Thake – CEO of The Optimisation Hub, with over 30 years’ experience in leadership, psychology, and athlete well-being. Her work equips sporting bodies, including football organisations, to integrate mental health, resilience, and governance into athlete development programmes.
• Kabelo Bosilong – Founding Managing Director of Sportsense and CAF General Coordinator, Club Licensing Instructor, and Stadium Inspector. He has been central to raising African football standards in infrastructure, competitions, and governance, working closely with CAF and national associations.
• Tumi Dlamini – CEO of the Organisation for Global Africa Cooperation (OGAC) and a continental leader in corporate governance. She has advised CAF and other African institutions on governance frameworks, ensuring football’s growth is supported by strong accountability and sustainable structures.

“The CAF Football Executive Management Programme is about building the next generation of leaders who will guide African football with integrity, vision, and innovation. Welcoming David Dein and such an exceptional panel of experts reflects CAF’s commitment to learning from the best globally while strengthening our capacity here in Africa.” states Sarah Mukuna, CAF Member Associations Director.

With David Dein’s keynote contribution and the expertise of this high-calibre line-up, the CAF Football Executive Management Programme reaffirms its role as a premier platform for building leadership capacity and driving football transformation across Africa.

Further Enquiries:  communications@cafonline.com

CAF | Communication Department