Pressure Mounts on CAF President Motsepe as Eto’o and Others Eye Leadership Role

Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is facing increasing pressure from football officials across Africa who are losing trust in his leadership. Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o is among those reportedly preparing to challenge him for the presidency.

Concerns about Motsepe’s leadership have intensified following his recent decision to change the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament from a four-year cycle back to every two years. This reversal is expected to be confirmed at a CAF executive committee meeting in Abidjan next month. Many were reportedly unaware of this change until it was discussed at a recent conference in Cape Verde.

Motsepe has also stated that he will not seek a third term when his current term ends in 2029. At the Cape Verde conference, he expressed support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s re-election, claiming to represent all 54 CAF member associations.

In addition to Eto’o, other potential candidates for the CAF presidency include Ahmed Yahya from Mauritania, Yacine Idriss Diallo from Côte d’Ivoire, and Souleiman Waberi from Djibouti. Waberi has faced allegations of embezzlement and money laundering, which he denies.

Motsepe’s leadership has been further scrutinized due to concerns about CAF’s finances and its broadcasting deals. A recent report suggested that the current broadcast deal with IMG is set to expire after the 2027 AFCON, raising questions about the tournament’s future.

As the situation evolves, the dynamics between Motsepe and Infantino could play a crucial role in determining the future of CAF’s leadership.