Patrice Motsepe is facing increasing scrutiny over his leadership of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), as officials around the continent reportedly lose confidence in him and possible successors, including Samuel Eto’o, begin to emerge.
Caf’s executive committee is expected to approve the return of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to a two-year schedule when it meets in Abidjan next month. Motsepe unexpectedly revealed the reversal last week, only 10 months after the tournament was moved to a four-year cycle. Although the change reportedly has broad backing across Africa, several sources say confidence in Caf’s leadership has declined, while some officials have raised concerns about Motsepe’s management.
Most national association presidents were reportedly unaware that Motsepe planned to propose changing Afcon’s schedule before the subject came up at a strategy conference in Cape Verde last week. Motsepe also confirmed that he will not seek a third term when his current mandate ends in 2029. In addition, he promised Africa’s “unconditional support” for Gianni Infantino’s campaign to remain Fifa president in March, claiming to speak with the unanimous backing of Caf’s 54 member associations.
Infantino is understood to remain highly popular across Africa, despite reports that between 10 and 15 member associations may consider voting against him. Potential candidates for the Caf presidency are believed to be seeking his endorsement in case Motsepe is persuaded to leave his position before completing his term.
Possible contenders include Eto’o, the former Barcelona and Inter forward who now leads Cameroon’s football federation and serves on Caf’s executive committee. Other names mentioned are Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya, Côte d’Ivoire’s Yacine Idriss Diallo and Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi, a Fifa council member facing embezzlement and money-laundering charges that he denies. Further candidates could also come forward from southern Africa.
Sources suggest Infantino’s position may be decisive in determining whether Motsepe remains in office. An alternative would be to challenge the Caf president through the organisation’s formal procedures, which allow an extraordinary general assembly to be called when at least two-thirds of the executive committee submit a written request.
Relations between Infantino and Motsepe are believed to have deteriorated after Motsepe permitted Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, to officiate the European Super Cup final in August during a period of tension with European football officials. Sources indicate, however, that their relationship has recently improved as Infantino works to strengthen his support across Africa.
At the Cape Verde conference, Motsepe pledged that Caf would distribute approximately $700,000 (£528,000) each year to every member association, representing an increase of $500,000. He is also understood to have raised executive committee members’ meeting payments from $150 to $350 and introduced an annual bonus of about $8,000 for them.
These commitments come amid mounting concern about Caf’s financial position, with its broadcasting agreement with IMG set to end after the 2027 Afcon. There are also serious questions about whether that competition can take place as planned, given uncertainty over the readiness of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to host it in June and July. Some sources believe it may be delayed until the Christmas and New Year period, potentially causing significant disruption to the European club calendar.
Caf is understood to have received broadcasting proposals for future competitions from IMG and another company whose identity has not been disclosed. It remains unclear how the rights package would be arranged or whether restoring a two-year tournament cycle would influence its commercial worth. A Caf representative said negotiations were still in progress and that no broadcasting rights had yet been granted.
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