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African players meet on need for unions

The South African Football Players Union (Safpu) host the third congress of the Africa division of the international federation of professional football players (Fifpro) in Johannesburg on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The South African Football Players Union (Safpu) host the third congress of the Africa division of the international federation of professional football players (Fifpro) in Johannesburg on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Safpu's spokesperson Elvis Sekgobela said the mandate of the congress is to promote the unionisation of professional football players in Africa.

He said Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Caf president Issa Hayatou are expected to officially open the congress.

Sekgobela said the presence of both presidents will endorse the work carried out by the international world players union of promoting professionalism in football on the continent, while promoting the values defended.

"The congress will also focus on forging cooperation between Fifa and Fifpro on the African territory, doping and health of the players, social status of the African player, protection of minors and development of professional championships in Africa, " Sekgobela said.

"As Safpu our mandate will be to establish football players' unions in the Cosafa region."

The Africa division of Fifpro comprises three official members in Cameroon, Egypt and South Africa and observers such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, Namibia, Morocco, Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

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