PATRICE MOTSEPE has secured a second term as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president after being re-elected unopposed, reinforcing his leadership in African football governance.
The South African businessman and mining magnate, who first assumed office in 2021, officially confirmed his re-election during CAF’s Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo.
The Explainer gathered that Motsepe’s return was widely expected after he announced his intention to seek re-election in October 2024. His leadership has focused on financial restructuring, sponsorship deals, and reforms aimed at strengthening African football competitions. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was in attendance at the assembly, underlining the close relationship between CAF and world football’s governing body.
“CAF has made significant strides, but we must continue building on these reforms,” Motsepe said, reaffirming his commitment to further development across the continent.
Although his re-election was unchallenged, the assembly also featured elections for key CAF and FIFA positions, including the FIFA Council, where Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick failed in his re-election bid.
The Explainer learned that Pinnick, a former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was seeking to retain his seat on the FIFA Council but missed out by just one vote. He secured 28 votes, while Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi edged him out with 29 votes, claiming the final slot among the six African representatives.
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Morocco’s Faouzi Lekjaa topped the election with 49 votes, while Egypt’s Hani Abo Rida and Niger’s Hamidou Djibrilla followed with 35 votes each. Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Waberi also secured their places with 29 votes apiece.
This outcome represents a setback for Pinnick, who made history in 2021 as the third Nigerian elected into the FIFA Council, following Oyo Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu. Before his FIFA role, he served two consecutive terms as NFF president from 2014 to 2022, where he was instrumental in modernising the federation’s financial and administrative framework.
The FIFA Council, the highest decision-making body between FIFA Congress meetings, consists of 37 members elected for renewable four-year terms. Pinnick’s defeat means Nigeria loses direct representation on the council, a position that had allowed influence over global football policies.
The Explainer gathered that Cameroonian football icon Samuel Eto’o secured a seat on CAF’s executive committee, strengthening his growing influence in African football administration. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Comoros’ Kanizat Ibrahim secured a FIFA Council seat with 30 votes, surpassing Lydia Nsekera (13 votes) and Isha Johansen (7 votes).
Motsepe’s leadership has seen significant commercial reforms, but challenges remain for African football. Infrastructure deficits, officiating controversies, and financial instability among clubs continue to pose difficulties.
While his presidency has attracted investment and improved the competitiveness of African tournaments, some critics argue that CAF’s increasing dependence on FIFA raises concerns about autonomy.
