FIFA Plans to raise $1b for Africa football development

He announced during his visit to DR Congo to grace the 80th-anniversary celebration of TP Mazembe on Friday.

READ MORE: GFA receives $900,000 arbitration settlement by communication giant Glo from ex-Normalisation Committee

Ahmad and Infantino, along with their delegation, were greeted by TP Mazembe fans, including the fans’ brass band who sang and danced for the delegation as they inspected the site for the construction of 50,000 capacity stadium.

"We want to bring it (Africa) to the highest of heights and show the world the outstanding talent and amazingly gifted players your continent possesses," he said.

"To do this, we want to implement a three-pillar approach: refereeing, infrastructure and competitions, in close cooperation with Caf, all of its 54 member associations across Africa and other stakeholders.

"I am positive that we will make African football reach the top level where it should be because the quality and potential are definitely here."

On infrastructure, Infantino said Fifa would mobilize companies and entrepreneurs to raise around $1bn with the objective of building at least one stadium that complies with Fifa's standards in each African country.

He said Fifa will focus on developing new and better competitions to generate more revenue so that the African clubs can retain talented players.

Infantino hinted at the possibility of creating an African League that would see the best clubs from the continent play against each other, without giving further details or outlining how the plan might impact the Champions League.

He also talked about plans to organize regional competitions and youth tournaments to further help the development of young players in Africa.

Infantino who is touring selected African along with his general secretary Fatma Samoura, Caf president Ahmad Ahmad and African legend Samuel Eto'o among other people.

He then took part in a commemorative match that featured Eto'o, Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya and TP Mazembe owner Moise Katumbi.