However, Caf’s close bond with Fifa has had its downsides, with Motsepe appearing unwilling to challenge Infantino or his organisation’s decisions in public.
Fifa was heavily criticised when US authorities refused to allow Somali referee Omar Artan into the country ahead of the World Cup and later also came under fire after suspending a one-match ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun for a red card at the tournament.
Caf did not publicly denounce the world governing body on either issue despite scathing statements from elsewhere.
Fifa’s expanded Club World Cup, held in June and July last year, meant the 2025 Afcon was forced to move to a December to January slot, causing issues with top European clubs over the release dates for players.
And the decision to hold Afcon every four years from 2028, rather than biennially, was seen as a decision that benefits Fifa and the global football calendar rather than Africa. Fifa general secretary Mattias Grafstrom sat alongside Motsepe when the announcement was made.
Johansen accepts that the funds from Fifa Forward Enterprise would be a game-changer for many in Africa, but she believes the long-term integrity of the game is under threat.
“It is an offer that is hard to refuse,” she said.
“We (in Africa) need the money.
“I think we now come to a point where you really need to know where to draw the line and not sacrifice the beautiful game.”
Infantino had indicated Fifa’s proposals would need a straight majority to go through – meaning 106 of its 211 members need to vote in favour.
Uefa has 55 votes, Asia 46 and Concacaf 35.
Should all member associations from those confederations back the stance of their governing body, that would mean 136 nations are already against Infantino’s plan.
Even if Caf’s 54 associations do stand behind the Swiss, the weight of the rest of the world could deny the second-largest and second-most populous continent what many view as a welcome windfall.
Additional reporting by BBC Sport Africa’s Celestine Karoney.
