Patrice Motsepe will begin his second term as President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after being re-elected unopposed at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo.
At 63, the South African businessman first assumed office in 2021, taking over from Ahmad Ahmad amid FIFA corruption issues.
During his initial term, Motsepe worked to restore CAF’s image by streamlining finances and securing significant sponsorship deals, including one with TotalEnergies.
Now, with a renewed mandate, he aims to enhance the global competitiveness of African football through key initiatives, such as upgrading stadium facilities, which currently compel many nations to use neutral venues for their international matches.
He is also committed to improving governance and financial transparency within CAF by enforcing stricter controls.
Moreover, Motsepe aims to boost women’s football by expanding grassroots initiatives and increasing competitive opportunities for female players.
Navigating the various interests of CAF’s regional blocs while maintaining strong ties with FIFA remains a significant challenge.
The established relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proven to be a valuable asset in garnering international support.
Overall, Motsepe’s second term represents a crucial opportunity to drive transformative change in African football. He aims to combine his business acumen with a reformist vision to elevate the sport on both the continental and global stages.