‘Done deal’ – Motsepe to be elected unopposed following two more withdrawals from CAF presidential race

Mamelodi Sundowns supremo Patrice Motsepe is set to be elected Confederation of African Football (CAF) President unopposed. This following the withdrawal of two more candidates from the race for the highest office in African football. 

We’re going to run that #CAF in a manner that is world class. – #PatriceMotsepe #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/r337qKjPDR

— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) February 25, 2021

Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Ivory Coast’s Jacques Anouma have also stepped down from the race leaving Motsepe as the only candidate.

The two’s withdrawal followed Senegalese Augustin Senghor’s decision to pull out of the race and throw his weight behind the mining magnate.  

Asked about the latest developments, South African Football Association (SAFA) Head of Communications, Dominic Chimhavi, who was also a member of the campaign team, confirmed, “It’s a done deal.” 

On Friday evening, Senghor in a statement announced: “After consultations with the Senegalese authorities during the discussions in Rabat and the approval of the FSF emergency committee during its meeting held on Tuesday, March 02, 2021, taking into account the particular context of this campaign, we have decided to accept the consensual proposal submitted to us by FIFA, Morocco and Egypt, in the name of the Superior interest of the unity of African Football that we have put forward in our profession of faith.”  

At 44, Yahya was the youngest candidate in the bid for Africa’s biggest seat in football. In November 2020, he announced his contest for the CAF Presidency.

In a tweet, Yahya had said that he was committed to promoting African football. 

“Committed to promoting African football. And after much thought and discussion, I have decided to submit my candidacy for the Presidency of the Confederation of African Football.” 

Yahya had said that he wanted to make CAF an organisation that all African football fans could be proud of. 

Anouma was probably the most experienced of the four as the only member to have served on the FIFA council, with a history in football administration spanning almost four decades. He first broke his administrative virginity in 1983 when he joined Asec Mimosas’ Executive Committee until 1989, serving as Treasurer. 

Between 1999 and 2001, the 69-year-old chaired JC Abidjan – the oldest club in Ivory Coast. 

He is also a former President of the Ivorian Football Federation and an Honorary President of the Ivorian Football Federation. 

But pressure was piling on him from FIFA to explain reports that he had received millions of rands from the government in support of his campaign, accusations he denied. 

In exchange for his withdrawal from the race, it is understood, he was offered the role of a Special Advisor – a proposition he had felt incensed given his experience in football administration. However, he finally bowed to pressure and relinquished his campaign to succeed to outgoing, beleaguered President Ahmad Ahmad.

The Madagascan’s campaign was, however, handed a devastating blow when FIFA handed him a five-year ban from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) for financial misconduct. 

The FIFA Ethics Committee found that Ahmad had breached his duty of loyalty by offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, and misappropriation of funds. 

FIFA also fined him 200 000 Swiss francs ($200 000). 

On 25 November 2020, Ahmad announced plans to appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. 

Issues of corruption and poor ethics have for decades marred the image of African football, with the continental body recording a $6,8 million deficit for the 2018/19 season, but that is one of the things CAF’s president in waiting, Motsepe, says he would love to change. 

CAF Presidency | Motsepe wants African football to become best in the world:

He says, “On the issue of governance and ethics in African football, there are many companies all over the world who want give money to football but they want to be comfortable that the money will not go into the pockets of the leadership of football, and that the money will indeed be used to develop, to grow, to contribute towards the improvement of the quality of football in Africa.” 

We aim at “investing in developing and growing football in each African country and building partnerships and sponsorships with the private sector and other potential partners.” #PatriceMotsepe #CAF #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/ixAeXlOUOu

— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) February 25, 2021

On February 25, Motsepe launched a 10-point action plan he hopes will change the face of African football. 

“In the 10-point plan, you will see that we talk about certain specifics that we have to do, but more importantly we put timeliness. There are certain things that have to be done by a certain time period. I am told CAF meets with the (association) presidents once a year. But when we are busy with fundamental reforms, we need to have at least two meetings a year,” Motsepe says.

#PatriceMotsepe‘s #CAF 10 Point Action Plan. CAF Election Manifesto Launch taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/ikKtSYK6UJ

— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) February 25, 2021

#PatriceMotsepe‘s #CAF 10 Point Action Plan. CAF Election Manifesto Launch taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/cmMBwX2HEG

— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) February 25, 2021

Motsepe has rubbished speculations that if elected he would move the CAF Headquarters from Cairo in Egypt to South Africa.

There’s no intention to move the CAF headquarters of #CAF from Cairo to South Africa. That’s not what my candidacy is about. It’s important that I correct that misperception – says #PatriceMotsepe #CAF #sabcnews

— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) February 25, 2021

Following Motsepe’s imminent election next Friday, he will have to step down from his responsibilities as Mamelodi Sundowns boss in line with the CAF Constitution. He has announced that his son, Kgosi, will take over as Chairman of the 10-time PSL champions.

Motsepe launches his manifesto ahead of CAF elective congress:

– additional reporting by Thabang Nkgweng