Patrice Motsepe was re-elected unopposed as Caf president for a second term during an assembly in Cairo, stating his commitment to further improving African football. Samuel Eto’o was elected to Caf’s executive committee, amidst his controversial tenure as Fecafoot president. The assembly also filled positions for the FIFA Council and featured several unopposed appointments within Caf’s leadership.
Patrice Motsepe has secured re-election as the president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) for a second term, succeeding without opposition. The 63-year-old, a notable figure in South African football and a mining entrepreneur, has held the presidency since 2021. His re-election, confirmed during an extraordinary general assembly in Cairo, coincided with the presence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
In preparation for his second term, Motsepe expressed his intention to build on the advancements made during his initial tenure, which has been characterized by growth and financial stability within Caf. His leadership emerged at a critical juncture for African football, having taken over during a crisis marked by the prior president’s ban by FIFA. He emphasized the need to further develop national stadiums, highlighting a significant reduction in the number of countries not hosting football matches, from 36 to 12 since 2021.
The assembly also elected Samuel Eto’o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, to Caf’s executive committee. Eto’o, uncontested for the seat, represents the central Africa region and has been at the forefront of football governance despite controversies surrounding his tenure as president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot). His recent suspension by both FIFA and Caf was lifted on appeal, allowing him to participate in the current elections.
The election process also resulted in the selection of six representatives for the FIFA Council, ensuring that Hany Abo Rida and Fouzi Lekjaa retained their positions. Additionally, newcomers Kanizat Ibrahim, Hamidou Djibrilla Hima, Ahmed Yahya, and Souleymane Waberi were elected. Within the Caf executive committee, multiple positions were filled unopposed, with only a few representatives, such as Elvis Chetty, losing their seats in favor of new members from various countries.
In summary, Patrice Motsepe’s unopposed re-election to the Caf presidency marks a continuation of his agenda to promote growth and stability in African football. The event underscored significant developments, including Samuel Eto’o’s election to the Caf executive committee and the appointment of new representatives to the FIFA Council. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to enhance football governance and infrastructure across the continent.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
