Motsepe annouces bid for second term as CAF President
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 25.10.24. | 19:59
Motsepe was elected president unopposed in 2021 by member associations in the 43rd CAF General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco
When he visited Nairobi last month, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe failed to give a clue, let alone reveal whether he was interested in defending his seat.
Journalists, who attended the CAF press briefing, worked overtime to get Motsepe’s word on his bid for a second term at the helm of the continental body.
The South African businessman, however, remained coy and carefully chose his words, leaving the pressmen without a clear answer.
However, it is no longer a secret that, Motsepe will be defending his seat in the March 2025 polls, as his bid has formally been communicated by the body.
According to information from CAF, Motsepe made up his mind following requests from member associations and other key stakeholders.
Even before his formal announcement, zonal bodies like CECAFA, UNIFFAC, WAFU A, B, and COSAFA had endorsed Motsepe’s bid for a second term.
“Following requests from numerous CAF Member Association Presidents, Zonal Union Presidents, and key stakeholders, the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has finally agreed to stand as a candidate at the CAF Presidential Elections scheduled for March 2025,” said a statement from CAF.
Motsepe was as elected president unopposed in 2021 by member associations in the 43rd CAF General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.
He succeeded the Malagasy-born Ahmad Ahmad, who spent 4 years in that same position (2017-2021) before he was barred from defending his seat for alleged financial misconduct.
Having declared his candidature, Motsepe will hope that his scorecard will woo delegates to hand him a second stint at the continental body.
In his first spell, the former Mamelodi Sundowns chairman made significant financial improvements, as evidenced by the various venue streams, subvention to member associations, and how the body emerged strong post the coronavirus pandemic.
Up to this moment, it is not clear who Motsepe will face in the polls, but reports suggest that Hany Abo Rida is possibly gearing up for a battle with the incumbent.
Rida, a former president of the Egyptian federation, is a member of the FIFA Council.
