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Patrice Motsepe (Gallo Images)
- SAFA President Danny Jordaan has confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe is a candidate for the CAF presidency.
- Motsepe, 58, will face current CAF president Ahmad Ahmad and Jacques Anouma.
- The elections will take place on March 12, 2021.
Mamelodi sundowns owner Patrice motsepe, 58, is a candidate for African Football Confederation (CAF) presidency, the South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed on monday.
During a joint press conference in Johannesburg together with SAFA President Danny Jordaan and South African Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Motsepe announced his candidacy ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
It was initially thought that current CAF president Ahmad Ahmad would run unopposed, but the Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) has also backed Jacques Anouma’s candidacy.
“The SAFA national executive committee approved on a rotating basis by an overwhelming majority the decision that we should support the candidacy of Patrice Motsepe for the position of CAF president,” Jordaan told the media on Monday morning.
“CAF must improve its global position. He is the most suitable person we can offer for CAF’s leadership.”
It was previously reported that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has already approved Motsepe’s selection to run for the CAF presidency, indicating that the business mogul is seen as a strong option to win when election day arrives.
Nigerian Football Association President Amaju Melvin Pinnick, Sierra Leone Football Association President Isha Johansen and Botswana Football Association President Maclean Letshwiti were also present via Zoom and they support Motsepe to become the next president of the CAF.
“He has more superior qualities than me,” Pinnick said. “It’s not about me, it’s about African football.
“If you have someone with superior qualities, you have to learn from him and stand in line behind him and bide his time.”
It has also been revealed that if Motsepe is elected to head the CAF, the Sundowns president would have to resign from his current position at the Tshwane club.
Motsepe has a few months to campaign for the CAF presidential race as the elections will only take place March 12, 2021 during the Elective General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.
