Caf President Motsepe to Seek Re-election, Citing ‘Good Progress’

Patrice Motsepe, who assumed the presidency of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in March 2021, has announced his intention to seek re-election for a second term. His stated goal is to build upon the “good progress” achieved during his initial tenure. The South African leader inherited an organization grappling with significant challenges, as his predecessor, Ahmad of Madagascar, had been the first Caf president to receive a ban from Fifa due to ethics violations, specifically involving the misappropriation of funds. Under Motsepe’s leadership, Caf, the governing body for African football, which has its presidential elections slated for March 2025, seems to be achieving greater financial stability, contrasting with the tumultuous financial state experienced under the previous administration. “The key issue is for us to build on the legacy,” stated Motsepe, a mining magnate whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at $3 billion (£2.3 billion). The announcement of Motsepe’s intention to seek re-election came on Friday, shortly after Caf’s general assembly concluded in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. A press release indicated that he had “finally” consented to run “following requests from numerous [football federation] presidents, zonal union presidents and key stakeholders”. “I was partly taken aback by the huge insistence about continuity,” the 62-year-old, who also owns the South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, informed BBC Sport Africa. He added, “There was some concern that there may not be the same degree of emphasis on governance, on ethics and the sort of fundamental changes that we’ve had to introduce.” “There’s a lot of good, good progress that has been made, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” he concluded. Motsepe is the initial individual to announce his candidacy, though some reports indicate that Hany Abo Rida of Egypt and Samuel Eto’o, a former Cameroon striker and four-time African Footballer of the Year, might also enter the race. Augustin Senghor, president of the Senegalese federation, is considered by some as a potential future leader. However, he has endorsed Motsepe’s declaration, concurring that Motsepe’s administration, in which Senghor serves as a vice-president, assumed leadership at a time when “Caf was in crisis”. “He has managed to put Caf into a new era,” Senghor commented to BBC Sport Africa. He added, “Africa Cups of Nations are more and more organised, we have profitability and people are giving more respect to Caf.” “We need stability and continuity to improve. When a leadership is working well, why change it?” he questioned. Despite the support he has garnered, Motsepe stated he would welcome any challengers. “I am confident there are many, many presidents that could take over from me right now, let alone in future,” he affirmed. Throughout his tenure overseeing African football, Motsepe has maintained a close working relationship with Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Motsepe’s administration reports that they began their term with a significant financial disadvantage, having inherited a deficit ranging from $40-50 million (£30.8-38.5 million). The administration faced an additional financial strain, needing to pay a $50 million (£38.5 million) settlement to the French media company Lagardere. This payment was necessitated after Ahmad’s previous regime cancelled what was the largest broadcast deal in African football history in 2019. Last week, Caf disclosed that its deficit had decreased to just under $10 million (£7.7 million) during the 2022-23 financial year. This period notably included the payment of the first of two $25 million (£19.25 million) installments to Lagardere. Despite the organization’s 2023-24 financial year, which spans from July to June, encompassing the second $25 million payment, further improvements to Caf’s financial statements are anticipated. The Cairo-headquartered organization reported a $72 million (£55.5 million) profit from this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), a figure 18 times greater than the revenue generated by the preceding tournament in 2022. A significant portion of this growth is attributed to enhanced relationships with sponsors and broadcasters. “The most important thing is to give confidence to the sponsors, partners and people that put money into football,” Motsepe stated, further explaining that investors must perceive that “they benefit from being associated with African football – and that [African football] has got ethics”. The South African also suggested that Caf’s commercial partners played a role in his decision to seek a second term. He elaborated, “I said to the sponsors: ‘We’ve got a team, the team will take over’.” “Many of them were very forthright, as were the member association and zonal union presidents, to say they remember the past where there was uncertainty and insecurity,” he added. Motsepe, who declines to receive a salary from Caf and instead allocates his remuneration to women’s football, staff bonuses, and specific emergency projects, emphasized the importance of improved ethics. This emphasis comes even as Caf’s general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, is currently under investigation for alleged misconduct, though the Swiss-Congolese official denies any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Motsepe states his efforts are focused on reforming African football, aiming not only to enhance the sport across the continent but also to set a precedent for other non-sporting organizations. He proposed, “The zero tolerance of corruption and bribery in football will transcend to zero tolerance of bribery and corruption in politics, in business and on the African continent.” “We had to make people – all of the member associations – realise that governance, ethics, compliance with the Fifa and Caf statutes and regulations are in the benefit of everybody, as are good referees and match commissioners,” he elaborated. Last week, Caf, under Motsepe’s leadership, increased the annual grant provided to member associations to $400,000 (£308,000). Additionally, a new payment of $50,000 (£38,500) was introduced for clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds of continental club competitions. This month, Senegal secured its fifth consecutive African beach soccer title and will be one of three teams representing the continent at next year’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in the Seychelles. Motsepe made these remarks in Hurghada, Egypt, following his attendance at Saturday’s Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations final. The match saw tournament debutants Mauritania face Senegal, with Senegal securing their fifth consecutive title by avenging an unexpected opening defeat to their neighbors. Both finalist teams have qualified for the upcoming Beach Soccer World Cup in the Seychelles next year. For the first time, the World Cup will include three African teams, as the host nation, which qualifies automatically, will be the first country from the continent to organize the event. “Egypt hosted the nations that were here in a manner as good as anywhere in the world, and African beach soccer is becoming as good as the best in the world,” Motsepe stated. He concluded, “We will be hosting the world next year in the Seychelles and the nations representing us will make us very, very proud.”