CAF succession talk gathers pace as Eto’o, Yaccine Diallo and two others emerge as potential candidates

Speculation over the future leadership of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is gathering pace, with Samuel Eto’o, Yacine Idriss Diallo, Ahmed Yahya and Souleiman Waberi emerging as potential candidates to succeed current president Patrice Motsepe.

As reported by The Guardian, the four football administrators are among the names being considered as the race to lead African football’s governing body begins to attract attention ahead of the next presidential election.

The succession discussions come amid reported discontent among some African football leaders following the announcement that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) would return to a biennial format, just ten months after plans were unveiled to move the tournament to a four-year cycle.

The reversal has reportedly raised questions about Motsepe’s influence within the confederation, with the proposed change expected to be confirmed in November in Abidjan.

Motsepe has also indicated that he will not seek a third term in 2029, opening the door for potential contenders to position themselves for the top job at CAF.

Among those linked with a possible candidacy is Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroon and Barcelona striker who currently serves as president of the Cameroon Football Federation and sits on CAF’s executive committee.

Eto’o remains one of the most recognisable figures in African football, having enjoyed an illustrious playing career before moving into football administration. His experience at both national and continental levels places him among the prominent names mentioned in discussions about CAF’s future leadership.

Yacine Idriss Diallo, president of the Ivorian Football Federation, is another potential contender. Diallo has been involved in the administration of Ivorian football and could be among those seeking to influence the direction of the continental game.

Ahmed Yahya, who heads the Mauritanian Football Federation, has also been mentioned as a possible successor to Motsepe. Souleiman Waberi of Djibouti completes the list of four potential candidates cited in the report.

However, the names remain speculative, and there has been no confirmed list of candidates for the 2029 CAF presidential election.

Beyond the succession question, CAF faces several important issues that could shape the next phase of its leadership. These include the financial resources available to the confederation, the future format of its flagship national-team competition and preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2027 tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, but uncertainty remains over its proposed June-July window. A possible move to the end of the year could have implications for the European football calendar, particularly for clubs employing African international players.

Motsepe has also pledged support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid, with the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March, according to the report.

As discussions about CAF’s future leadership continue, attention is likely to remain on how the confederation addresses concerns surrounding its competition calendar, finances and relationships with its member associations.

For now, Eto’o, Diallo, Yahya and Waberi are among the names being linked with the presidency, but the eventual field of candidates and the direction of the succession process remain uncertain.