MOTSEPE SET FOR ANOTHER TERM IN CAF OFFICE

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Reigning CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected to the hot seat for a second term until 2029 at the CAF general assembly, which is underway at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The Soweto born billionaire president ascended to the African Football hot seat back in 2021, having succeeded Madagascar’s Ahmed Ahmad, winning the CAF presidential elections unopposed with fellow four nominees (Augustine Senghor, Ahmed Yahya, Jacques Anouma and Seidou Mbombo Njoya) pulling out the night before the election to make way for him.

Motsepe’s second term in charge of African football was decided before the assembly events in Cairo as he became the first and only contender to run for office. The lack of challengers could be seen as a vote of confidence in the South African’s presidency so far, having come to CAF at a time of crisis.

The 63 year-old became the seventh CAF President when he took office for the first time and remains the only South African to hold the role in history. CAF congress also announced the results for the newly elected members of the Executive Committee and the six African representatives who will be included in the FIFA Council.

Motsepe restored CAF’s image by streamlining finances and securing major sponsorship deals, including TotalEnergies. He is also committed to improving governance and financial transparency within CAF by enforcing stricter controls and looks to boost women’s football by expanding grassroots initiatives and increasing competitive opportunities for female players.

He saw off his first Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire last year, Women’s Africa Cup of Nations back in 2022 in Morocco, with Banyana Banyana claiming the title and other continental tournaments. He looks set to see more tournaments with Banyana Banyana looking to defend their title and Bafana Bafana looking to better their performances in Morocco this year.