CAF insiders deny growing discontent with Patrice Motsepe’s leadership

Confederation of African Football (CAF) insiders have rejected claims that confidence in president Patrice Motsepe is weakening, following a report by The Guardian suggesting growing dissatisfaction among African football officials.

The report has also linked former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o and other prominent figures to a potential contest to succeed Motsepe, who has confirmed he will not seek a third term when his current tenure ends in 2029.

The claims have brought renewed attention to the leadership of African football’s governing body and the succession question ahead of the next presidential election.

Motsepe, who took office in March 2021, has overseen a period of change at CAF, including efforts to strengthen the organisation’s finances, improve competition structures and raise the profile of African football internationally.

However, the reported concerns suggest that questions remain within some quarters of the African football community about the direction of the organisation and its leadership.

CAF insiders have pushed back against the suggestion that support for Motsepe is declining, disputing the impression that dissatisfaction has reached a level that threatens his standing within the organisation.

The contrasting accounts highlight the need to distinguish between reported concerns among individual officials and evidence of a broader loss of confidence in the CAF president.

Succession question gathers attention

Motsepe’s decision not to seek a third term in 2029 has inevitably shifted attention towards the question of who could succeed him.

Eto’o, the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker who is now president of the Cameroon Football Federation, is among the figures mentioned in discussions about a possible future leadership contest.

His profile as one of African football’s most recognisable former players, combined with his experience in football administration, makes his name notable in any conversation about the continent’s future leadership.

However, being linked to a potential race does not, in itself, amount to a formal declaration of candidacy. Any assessment of the succession contest will depend on official announcements and the positions adopted by the relevant football associations and administrators.

Other figures have also been linked to the potential race, although the extent of their interest and the nature of any prospective campaigns remain to be established.

Motsepe’s future at CAF

Motsepe became CAF president in 2021, succeeding Ahmad Ahmad, and was re-elected in 2025.

His decision not to pursue a third term means the organisation will eventually have to identify a new leader, although the 2029 election remains some distance away.

The coming years will therefore be important for assessing both Motsepe’s standing among CAF member associations and the emergence of potential successors.

For now, the claims of growing dissatisfaction remain contested. While The Guardian has reported concerns among African football officials, CAF insiders have denied that confidence in Motsepe’s leadership has weakened.

The debate over his record and the identities of possible successors is likely to remain part of the wider discussion about the future direction of African football as the 2029 presidential election approaches.