Maheta Molango is one of the most influential people in football.

A former pro player himself, he now heads up the Professional Footballers’ Association and is responsible for the welfare of players, past and present.

Recently, Maheta travelled out to AFCON with the mission of showcasing how important the tournament is. As a former Congo international himself, he’s had first-hand experience of the misconceptions attributed to AFCON and African football in general.

Ahead of the final week of the tournament, Maheta joined VERSUS team members Mayowa Quadri and Ahmed Shooble to talk about why AFCON needs more respect. We also discuss the nature of fixture congestion, why it’s such an important matter to the PFA, and how important it is to enable players to use their voice in tackling football’s biggest problems.

‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game.

Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)