Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected as the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a second four-year term following an uncontested election at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday.
The South African billionaire, who first took office in 2021, ran unopposed after receiving widespread backing from CAF member associations and key football stakeholders.
Initially reluctant to confirm his intentions, Motsepe finally declared in October 2024 that he would stand for re-election, emphasizing the need to continue his mission of financial stability and football development across the continent.
“The goal remains making African football competitive on the international stage, stabilizing finances, and investing in infrastructure that allows our teams and players to thrive,” Motsepe said after his re-election.
Since taking charge, Motsepe has overseen significant changes within CAF, including a financial turnaround after the confederation struggled with debt under his predecessor, Ahmad Ahmad, whose tenure was marred by corruption allegations.
With FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s backing, Motsepe took over in 2021 and has since strengthened CAF’s financial position, with the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast generating a record $72 million in profit and drawing a global viewership of two billion.
Under his leadership, CAF has also increased prize money for major competitions, with the AFCON winners’ earnings rising by over 40 percent to $7 million.
The men’s and women’s CAF Champions League prize pools have also grown, along with increased funding for member associations.
Another landmark achievement of Motsepe’s tenure has been the establishment of the African Football League (AFL), which, despite initial plans for 24 teams, launched in 2023 with eight participants. Mamelodi Sundowns, a club Motsepe owns, won the inaugural edition.
Looking ahead, one of Motsepe’s key objectives is to support Morocco’s co-hosting bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, further cementing Africa’s place in global football.
The CAF Executive Committee for the 2025-2028 term was also confirmed during the assembly, featuring Mustapha Ishola Raji (WAFU A), Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o (UNIFFAC), Sadhi Walid (UNAF), Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku (WAFU B), and Bestine Kazadi, who occupies the female seat. The COSAFA representative is yet to be announced.
With his mandate now extended until 2029, Motsepe faces the challenge of sustaining the progress made while ensuring African football continues to thrive both financially and competitively on the global stage.
