Patrice Motsepe Secures Another Term as CAF President Amid Financial Turnaround
South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed as the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), extending his tenure until 2029. His re-election marks four years since he first assumed the role, inheriting an organization plagued by corruption and financial instability.
Motsepe’s predecessors had set a low benchmark. Issa Hayatou, who led CAF for an astonishing 29 years, was widely regarded as an authoritarian figure unwilling to relinquish power. His successor, Ahmad Ahmad, faced corruption and financial mismanagement allegations, ultimately leading to a five-year ban by FIFA. Ahmad’s brief tenure, which began in 2017, was marred by misconduct, further deepening CAF’s troubles.
When Motsepe—whose family owns South African soccer giants Mamelodi Sundowns—entered the race for the presidency, his independent wealth was seen as an assurance that he would not exploit CAF’s resources for personal gain. His business acumen also positioned him as the ideal candidate to stabilize the organization's finances.
CAF’s financial situation has significantly improved under Motsepe's leadership. Upon his arrival, the organization faced a $45 million deficit. Within his first full year, he reduced it to $28.9 million, and by the 2022/24 fiscal period, the deficit had dropped to $9.2 million. Additionally, prize money for both the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and its women's counterpart has increased under his stewardship.
Speaking at CAF’s extraordinary general meeting in Cairo on March 12, 2025, Motsepe reflected on the journey:
"Nelson Mandela used to say we always have challenges and problems that we must identify in order to deal with them. But when there’s good work and progress, we must also take motivation and feel proud of what has been achieved.”
Motsepe’s predecessors had set a low benchmark. Issa Hayatou, who led CAF for an astonishing 29 years, was widely regarded as an authoritarian figure unwilling to relinquish power. His successor, Ahmad Ahmad, faced corruption and financial mismanagement allegations, ultimately leading to a five-year ban by FIFA. Ahmad’s brief tenure, which began in 2017, was marred by misconduct, further deepening CAF’s troubles.
When Motsepe—whose family owns South African soccer giants Mamelodi Sundowns—entered the race for the presidency, his independent wealth was seen as an assurance that he would not exploit CAF’s resources for personal gain. His business acumen also positioned him as the ideal candidate to stabilize the organization's finances.
CAF’s financial situation has significantly improved under Motsepe's leadership. Upon his arrival, the organization faced a $45 million deficit. Within his first full year, he reduced it to $28.9 million, and by the 2022/24 fiscal period, the deficit had dropped to $9.2 million. Additionally, prize money for both the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and its women's counterpart has increased under his stewardship.
Speaking at CAF’s extraordinary general meeting in Cairo on March 12, 2025, Motsepe reflected on the journey:
"Nelson Mandela used to say we always have challenges and problems that we must identify in order to deal with them. But when there’s good work and progress, we must also take motivation and feel proud of what has been achieved.”
