Patrice Motsepe Re-Elected as CAF President for second term

Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed as President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a second four-year term, extending his leadership until 2029. The decision was confirmed at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo, reinforcing his mandate to continue reshaping African football.

Motsepe, a South African billionaire and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns, first assumed the presidency in 2021, running unopposed with strong backing from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. His re-election signals widespread confidence in his leadership, particularly after stabilising CAF’s finances, governance, and international reputation.

“The goal remains making African football globally competitive, stabilising finances, and investing in infrastructure,” said Motsepe following his re-election.

Key Achievements Under Motsepe’s First Term

1. Record-Breaking AFCON Viewership & Financial Growth

Under Motsepe, the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire became the most-watched AFCON tournament ever, attracting a record 1.4 billion global viewers.

CAF also increased prize money for its major tournaments, including:

• CAF Champions League
• CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations
• CAF Confederation Cup

Additionally, financial support to CAF Member Associations has grown significantly, boosting football development across the continent.

2. Expansion of Africa’s Representation on the Global Stage

• Africa now has a record nine guaranteed places at the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026.
• Four African clubs – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), and Espérance Tunis (Tunisia) – will compete in the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in June 2025.

3. Stadium Infrastructure Development: Addressing the Crisis

A major concern for African football has been the lack of CAF-certified stadiums for international matches.

• 12 African nations – including Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Gambia, Namibia, and Zimbabwe – currently lack approved stadiums and have been forced to play home matches in neutral venues.
• This is an improvement from 38 nations in previous years, but Motsepe insists that 12 is still too many.

“You cannot develop football in any country in Africa if national teams and clubs do not play in front of their supporters,” he said, emphasising the need for private sector financing for new stadiums.

4. Calls for Government & Private Sector Investment

Motsepe highlighted the financial constraints many African governments face, where resources are prioritised for education, healthcare, and infrastructure over stadium development.

“Many heads of state tell me: ‘We love football, but should we take the money to build a stadium or a hospital?'”

To address this challenge, Motsepe is seeking private investment partnerships to fund new stadiums across Africa.

CAF Executive Committee Elections & FIFA Council Appointments

CAF’s elections also saw major changes in its Executive Committee and FIFA Council representation:

• Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – Elected to CAF’s Executive Committee, following a legal battle overturning an initial ban.
• Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (DR Congo), Wallace Karia (Tanzania), Kurt Simeon-Okraku (Ghana), and Sadi Walid (Algeria) – Newly elected members of the CAF Executive Committee.
• Hany Abo Rida (Egypt) and Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) retained their positions on the FIFA Council, joined by Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros), Hamidou Djibrilla Hima (Niger), Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania), and Souleymane Waberi (Djibouti).

The Road Ahead: Can Motsepe Deliver on His Vision?

Motsepe’s re-election comes with high expectations. His second term will focus on:

• Expanding football infrastructure to ensure all CAF nations have certified stadiums.
• Increasing investment in women’s football and youth development.
• Further financial stabilisation of CAF through sponsorship and global partnerships.
• Strengthening Africa’s global influence in football governance.

Final Thoughts: A New Era for African Football?

Motsepe’s business acumen, political connections, and financial influence have strengthened CAF, but major challenges remain. Will he successfully revolutionise African football infrastructure, or will funding limitations and political barriers slow progress?

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching and Africa’s presence growing on the world stage, the next four years could define CAF’s future and Africa’s footballing legacy.

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Source: CAF