Patrice Motsepe Re-Elected as CAF President, Pledges Continued Growth in African Football

South African billionaire and mining magnate Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during the organization’s congress in Cairo on Wednesday.

Motsepe, who has led CAF since 2021 and also owns South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, will serve another four-year term after once again running unchallenged.

Under his leadership, CAF has achieved remarkable financial success, reporting a US$72 million profit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – an astonishing 18-fold increase from the revenue generated in 2022. His tenure has also seen a substantial boost in prize money across CAF competitions.

The AFCON winner’s purse was raised by more than 40 percent to US$7 million, while both the men’s and women’s CAF Champions League prize funds have also seen significant increases.

In his re-election speech, Motsepe emphasized the ongoing challenge of inadequate football infrastructure across Africa, vowing to make it a priority.

“In 2021, there were 36 countries that were not playing football in their countries. The number has come down to 12 but for us, this is still a big number,” he stated. “At CAF, it is our job to continue supporting the development of sports infrastructure.”

Motsepe’s new term also coincides with the rise of another influential African football figure. Four-time African Footballer of the Year, Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, has secured a seat on CAF’s executive committee, further strengthening his role in shaping the future of African football governance.

With a renewed mandate and ambitious goals, Motsepe’s leadership is set to drive even greater progress for African football in the years ahead.