Motsepe Re-Elected As CAF President; Amaju Pinnick Loses FIFA Council Bid

By: Gyang Dakwo

In a landmark decision at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly on Wednesday, Dr. Patrice Motsepe was re-elected unopposed as President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a second four-year term, extending his leadership until 2029. The South African billionaire’s re-election underscores the confidence placed in his ability to continue transforming African football.

Motsepe’s first term was marked by significant achievements, including stabilizing CAF’s finances, increasing global visibility, and setting new benchmarks for African football. The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire 2023, for instance, attracted a record-breaking 1.4 billion viewers worldwide, showcasing the growing appeal of the continent’s premier football tournament.

Under his leadership, prizemoney for major competitions such as the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has seen substantial increases. Additionally, Member Associations have benefited from enhanced financial support, further strengthening the development of football across the continent.

The 63-year-old’s decision to seek re-election followed overwhelming requests from Member Association Presidents and key stakeholders.

“The goal remains making African football globally competitive, stabilizing finances, and investing in infrastructure,” Motsepe affirmed after his re-election. His unopposed victory reflects a unified vision for African football’s future.

However, the CAF Congress also delivered disappointment for Nigeria’s Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who narrowly lost his bid to retain a seat on the FIFA Council. The former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President fell short by just one vote, securing 28 votes compared to 29 each for Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Djibouti’s Souleman Hassan Waberi.

Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa emerged as the top vote-getter with an impressive 49 votes, while Egypt’s Hany Abou Rida and Niger Republic’s Djibrilla Hima Hamidou both earned 35 votes to secure their spots on the FIFA Council. Comoros’ Kanizat Ibrahim also made history by clinching the women’s seat with 30 votes, becoming one of Africa’s representatives on the prestigious panel.

As Dr. Motsepe begins his second term, the focus remains on elevating African football to new heights, with an emphasis on financial stability, infrastructure development, and global competitiveness. Meanwhile, Pinnick’s narrow defeat highlights the intense competition for positions of influence in world football, as African nations continue to assert their presence on the global stage.

The future of African football looks promising, with Motsepe at the helm and a renewed commitment to excellence and growth.