Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe will not seek a third term when his current tenure ends in 2029, beginning the process of identifying a new leader for African football’s governing body.
The 2029 election is still some distance away and CAF has not published an official list of candidates. However, five senior administrators have been mentioned in reports and discussions about who could succeed the South African billionaire.
Kurt Okraku – Ghana
Kurt Okraku is among the most senior figures linked with the potential succession. The president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) also serves as CAF’s second vice-president.
Okraku has led the GFA since 2019 and holds experience at both national and continental level through his involvement in CAF’s executive leadership. His position within the organisation places him among the administrators being considered in early discussions about the presidency.
Samuel Eto’o – Cameroon
Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o is another prominent name associated with the possible contest.
Eto’o is president of the Cameroon Football Federation and sits on CAF’s Executive Committee. One of Africa’s most celebrated former players, he moved into football administration after ending his playing career and has since featured in reports about potential successors to Motsepe.
Ahmed Yahya – Mauritania
Ahmed Yahya, president of the Mauritania Football Federation, is also being discussed as a possible candidate.
Yahya is a member of FIFA’s Council, giving him a role in international football governance in addition to his leadership of Mauritanian football. That experience has brought him into the group of administrators whose names have surfaced in connection with the CAF presidency.
Yacine Idriss Diallo – Ivory Coast
Yacine Idriss Diallo heads the Ivorian Football Federation and is a member of CAF’s Executive Committee.
His work leading football administration in Ivory Coast, together with his role within CAF’s executive structure, has made him another figure linked with the organisation’s future leadership.
Souleiman Waberi – Djibouti
Souleiman Waberi is a senior football administrator from Djibouti and serves as one of CAF’s vice-presidents.
He also sits on FIFA’s Council, giving him responsibilities at both continental and international level. His involvement in the governance of the game has led to his name being included in reports about the possible succession to Motsepe.
With no formal nominations announced, the five administrators remain potential contenders rather than confirmed candidates. Motsepe’s decision not to pursue a third term has nevertheless opened the discussion about CAF’s next phase of leadership well ahead of the 2029 election.
