Motsepe faces growing pressure as Eto’o emerges as potential Caf successor

Patrice Motsepe is facing growing pressure as president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), with concerns over his leadership and potential rivals positioning themselves to succeed him, according to The Guardian.

Several football officials across Africa are understood to have raised concerns about the direction of the continental governing body, with former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o among those being linked with a possible bid for the presidency.

Caf is expected to confirm a return to a two-year Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) cycle at its executive committee meeting in Abidjan next month, following Motsepe’s announcement last week that the governing body intends to reverse its decision to stage the tournament every four years.

The proposed change, which comes just 10 months after the quadrennial format was adopted, is reported to have widespread support across the continent.

However, a report by The Guardian suggests that confidence in Caf’s leadership has weakened, with several national association presidents reportedly unaware of Motsepe’s intention to announce the change before it was raised at a strategic conference in Cape Verde.

Motsepe also confirmed that he would not seek a third term when his current tenure expires in 2029.

At the conference, he pledged Africa’s “unconditional support” for Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid in March, claiming to speak on behalf of all 54 Caf member associations.

Infantino remains popular among African football officials, although reports suggest that between 10 and 15 member associations could consider voting against him.

Eto’o among potential successors

Eto’o, who heads the Cameroon Football Federation and serves on Caf’s executive committee, is among several figures reportedly exploring the possibility of succeeding Motsepe.

Other potential candidates include Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya, Yacine Idriss Diallo of Côte d’Ivoire and Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi, a member of the Fifa Council.

Waberi has been charged with embezzlement and money laundering but denies the allegations. Other candidates could also emerge from southern Africa.

According to The Guardian, Infantino’s position could prove influential in determining whether Motsepe remains in office.

An alternative route would be a formal challenge through Caf’s statutes, which allow an extraordinary general assembly to be convened following a written request from at least two-thirds of the executive committee members.

Reports have suggested that relations between Motsepe and Infantino deteriorated after the Caf president supported Somali referee Omar Artan’s appointment to officiate in Uefa’s Super Cup final in August, despite Artan having been denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

However, sources indicate that relations between the two men have improved in recent weeks as Infantino seeks to strengthen his support across Africa.

Caf finances under scrutiny

Motsepe announced plans to increase annual distributions to member associations to about $700,000, representing a rise of $500,000, at the Cape Verde conference.

The Guardian also reports that payments to executive committee members for attending meetings have increased from $150 to $350, alongside the introduction of an annual bonus of approximately $8,000.

The reported increases come amid concerns about Caf’s financial position and the future of its broadcasting arrangements.

The governing body’s current broadcast deal with IMG is due to expire after the 2027 Afcon, with negotiations over future rights understood to be ongoing.

There are also questions over whether the 2027 tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in June and July, will proceed as planned because of concerns about preparations.

Some sources have suggested that the competition could be postponed until December and January, a move that would disrupt the European club football calendar.

Caf is understood to have received broadcasting offers from IMG and another unnamed company, although the structure and commercial value of any future agreement remain unclear, particularly if the Afcon returns to a biennial schedule.

A Caf spokesperson told The Guardian that the process was ongoing and that no broadcasting rights had been awarded.