Patrice Motsepe is facing increasing pressure as president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), with officials questioning their confidence in his leadership and potential challengers, including Samuel Eto’o, positioning themselves for the presidency.
Caf is expected to confirm a return to a biennial Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) at its executive committee meeting in Abidjan next month. Motsepe announced the proposed change last week, only 10 months after Caf decided the tournament would be held every four years.
The move is understood to have broad support across Africa, but several sources say trust in Caf’s leadership has weakened, with questions raised about Motsepe’s management of the organisation.
Most national association presidents are believed to have been unaware of the planned announcement until the proposal was discussed at a strategic conference in Cape Verde last week. At that meeting, Motsepe also confirmed he would not seek a third term when his presidency ends in 2029.
He pledged Africa’s “unconditional support” for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as Fifa president in March, saying he was speaking on the “unanimous” behalf of all 54 Caf member associations.
Infantino remains extremely popular in Africa, although 10 to 15 member associations would consider voting against him, according to information revealed in August. Motsepe’s possible successors are believed to be seeking Infantino’s approval in case the South African billionaire can be persuaded to leave office before his term ends.
Those linked with a potential challenge include Eto’o, the former Barcelona and Inter striker and current president of Cameroon’s federation, as well as Caf executive committee member Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania and Yacine Idriss Diallo of Cote d’Ivoire.
Souleiman Waberi, a Fifa council member from Djibouti, is also among the names being considered. He has been charged with embezzlement and money laundering, allegations he denies. Further candidates could emerge from southern Africa.
Infantino is thought to have significant influence over whether Motsepe remains in office. An alternative route would be to use Caf’s statutory procedures, under which an extraordinary general assembly can be called following a written request from at least two-thirds of the executive committee.
The relationship between Infantino and Motsepe is believed to have deteriorated after Motsepe allowed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate 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 Uefa.
However, sources say relations have improved in recent weeks as Infantino works to strengthen his support in Africa.
At the Cape Verde conference, Motsepe promised annual Caf distributions of about $700,000 (£528,000) to each association, an increase of $500,000. Payments to executive committee members for attending meetings are understood to have risen from $150 to $350, while an annual bonus of about $8,000 has reportedly been introduced.
Those commitments come as Caf faces financial concerns. Its broadcast agreement with IMG expires after the 2027 Afcon, which is also under scrutiny because of doubts over Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda’s readiness to host the tournament in June and July.
As reported by the Guardian in February, some sources believe the competition could be moved to Christmas and the new year, potentially disrupting the European club season.
Caf is understood to have received broadcast offers from IMG and an unnamed company for future tournaments. However, the structure of the package and the effect of returning to a two-year Afcon cycle on its commercial value remain unclear.
A Caf spokesperson said the process was ongoing and that no rights had been awarded.
