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Pele Was A ‘Unique Inspiration,’ Says CAF President

Patrice Motsepe believes the football legend will live forever in the hearts and minds of football lovers.


In this file photo taken on December 22, 2010 Brazilian football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as ‘Pele’, poses with his six Brazil’s champion medals during a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilian football icon Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time and a three-time World Cup winner who masterminded the ‘beautiful game’, died on December 29, 2022 at the age of 82, after battling kidney problems and colon cancer. (Photo by CAIO LEAL / AFP) /

Brazilian football superstar Pele, who has died at the age of 82, was “a unique inspiration to the African continent” who will “forever live in the hearts and minds of football lovers”, the continent’s football chief said on Friday.

“His death is a huge loss for supporters and football fans,” said Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Motsepe also hailed Pele’s “commitment to improve the living conditions of the poor and marginalized”.

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The three-time World Cup winner, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, died Thursday after a long battle with cancer.

His passing sparked a wave of emotion and tributes across the world as Brazil began a three-day national mourning.

AFP