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Patrice Motsepe Secures Second Term as CAF President

Patrice Motsepe’s continuation as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was confirmed ahead of events in Cairo on Wednesday, as he stood as the sole candidate for re-election.

The absence of any opposing candidates may reflect a broad support for Motsepe’s leadership during a critical period for African football, which has encountered numerous challenges in recent years.

Motsepe assumed the presidency in March 2021, succeeding Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar, who faced a FIFA ban, marking a turbulent chapter for CAF. Under Motsepe’s leadership, the organization has made significant strides in financial stability, reporting a remarkable profit of $72 million (£55.5 million) from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). This figure is notably 18 times greater than the revenues from the 2022 tournament.

In announcing his candidacy for another term, Motsepe emphasized that while progress has been achieved, there remains considerable work ahead for African football. During his speech on Wednesday, he specifically pointed to the state of national stadiums across the continent as a critical focus of his future efforts.

Motsepe noted, “In 2021, there were 36 countries that were not playing football in their home countries. The number has decreased to 12, but this is still a significant concern for us.” He stressed the necessity for CAF and FIFA to continue investing in the development of sports infrastructure to facilitate growth and ensure that all nations have the opportunity to host matches.

The road ahead will likely involve not only the enhancement of facilities but also broader strategies to promote grassroots engagement and improve the overall quality of football across Africa.

Source
www.bbc.com