Motsepe vows to quit Caf in 2029 as women’s prize money doubled for Wafcon 2026

Patrice Motsepe has ruled out serving more than two terms as president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), even as he announced a doubling of prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

Speaking at a media briefing in Sandton, South Africa, Motsepe insisted he will step down when his current term ends in 2029 and that “nobody” will be able to convince him to stay on.

“There are certain things you should never be persuaded about, and nobody is going to persuade me to serve more than two terms in Caf; it is not going to happen,” he said.

Motsepe was first elected Caf president in 2021. At the time, he publicly stated he intended to serve only one term before being convinced to stand again. Asked whether a similar push could see him seek a third mandate, he was unequivocal that it would not.

Caf chief rules out third term

Motsepe, a South African billionaire businessman, said he had always regarded his leadership of African football as time-limited.

“Nobody is going to persuade me to serve more than two terms in CAF,” he reiterated.

He added that part of his current focus is on preparing the organisation for a smooth transition when he leaves office.

“Caf will be fine; African football will be fine even when I’m not there and that’s part of what I’m focusing on. Part of the job is to have better people than me when I was there to take over.”

Motsepe said he was satisfied with how African national teams performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Prize money doubled for Wafcon 2026

Under Motsepe’s presidency, Caf has increased financial support to its member associations and raised prize money across its major competitions, including the men’s Africa Cup of Nations, Wafcon and inter-club tournaments.

On Wednesday he announced a significant financial boost for the continental women’s showpiece, confirming that the winners of the 2026 Wafcon in Morocco will receive $2m (£1.55m), a 100% increase on the prize for the 2024 edition, which was staged in 2025.

The move is the latest in a series of steps by Caf to enhance the status and commercial appeal of women’s football in Africa, with the governing body seeking to close the gap with leading women’s tournaments in Europe and elsewhere.

Backing for Infantino’s fourth term

While insisting on term limits for himself, Motsepe said he backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term in office in 2027.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirms he won’t stand for a third term in 2029 and says no one will persuade him to. He said he supports Fifa president Gianni Infantino who is running for fourth term in 2027.

His endorsement underlines the close relationship between Caf and world football’s governing body during his tenure, a period that has seen reforms to Caf’s governance and commercial arrangements, as well as expanded World Cup participation for African teams.

Motsepe maintains that African football is on a stable footing and will continue to grow after his departure, provided the organisation secures “better people” to succeed him and build on the foundations laid since 2021.