Patrice Motsepe is facing mounting pressure as uncertainty over the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) format fuels concerns about his leadership of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), while potential challengers including Samuel Eto’o position themselves for a possible succession.
Caf’s executive committee is expected to confirm a return to a biennial Afcon at a meeting in Abidjan next month. Motsepe announced the reversal last week, only 10 months after a decision had been taken to stage the tournament every four years. The proposed change is understood to have broad support across Africa, but sources say confidence in Caf’s leadership has weakened, with some officials questioning Motsepe’s management.
Most national association presidents were reportedly unaware of the planned announcement until the issue was raised at a strategic conference in Cape Verde last week. Motsepe also said he would not seek a third term when his current mandate expires in 2029.
At the conference, he pledged Africa’s “unconditional support” for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as Fifa president in March, saying this was the “unanimous” position of all 54 Caf member associations. Infantino remains highly popular in Africa, although 10 to 15 associations are understood to be considering voting against him, as reported in August.
Potential candidates to replace Motsepe are believed to be seeking Infantino’s backing if the South African billionaire can be persuaded to leave office before 2029. The names linked with a possible challenge include Eto’o, the former Barcelona and Inter striker and current president of Cameroon’s federation; Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania; Yacine Idriss Diallo of Cote d’Ivoire; and Souleiman Waberi, a Fifa council member from Djibouti.
Waberi has been charged with embezzlement and money laundering, allegations he denies. Further candidates could emerge from southern Africa.
Infantino is thought to have considerable influence over Motsepe’s future. Alternatively, Caf’s statutes allow an extraordinary general assembly to be called if at least two-thirds of executive committee members submit a written request.
The relationship between Infantino and Motsepe is believed to have deteriorated after Motsepe allowed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate in Uefa’s Super Cup final in August. Artan had been denied entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, amid rising tensions between Caf and European football’s governing body. Sources say relations have improved in recent weeks as Infantino has worked to strengthen his support in Africa.
Motsepe promised each Caf association annual distributions of about $700,000 (£528,000), an increase of $500,000. Payments to executive committee members for attending meetings are understood to have risen from $150 to $350, alongside an annual bonus of about $8,000.
Those commitments come as Caf faces financial concerns. Its broadcast agreement with IMG expires after the 2027 Afcon, which Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are due to host in June and July. Doubts remain over the countries’ readiness, and some sources believe the tournament could be moved to Christmas and the new year, disrupting the European club season.
Caf is understood to have received broadcast offers from IMG and an unnamed company. A spokesperson said the process was ongoing and that no rights had been awarded, while the effect of a two-year Afcon cycle on the package’s commercial value remains unclear.
