CAF President Motsepe backs Infantino amid criticism, rules out FIFA and South Africa presidential bids
Motsepe’s Endorsement of Infantino
Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has publicly defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino, describing him as a dedicated leader with a strong commitment to football and a loyal supporter of Africa. Motsepe’s remarks were made on Wednesday in Johannesburg, where he highlighted Infantino’s role in expanding opportunities for African national teams on the global stage. This support comes despite growing criticism directed at Infantino regarding FIFA’s decisions, including the delayed suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun at the recent World Cup, the introduction of hydration breaks, and the potential expansion of the men’s tournament to 64 teams.
Motsepe specifically pointed to an increase in Africa’s allocation for the World Cup, which now includes four direct places and an additional playoff berth. The continent saw a record 10 teams participate in this year’s tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. Motsepe emphasized Infantino’s loyalty to Africa, stating, “I like his deep love for football, deep commitment for football in the world and support for Africa.” He added that Infantino has been crucial in advancing football across the continent.
Infantino, who took over from Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016, is expected to seek a fourth term in 2027. CAF’s 54 member associations represent the largest unified voting bloc among the six continental confederations within FIFA, giving Africa significant influence in FIFA politics. In April, the South American governing body CONMEBOL was the first to publicly endorse Infantino’s re-election, with CAF quickly following suit.
However, some European football associations and allied bodies have expressed discontent, with reports suggesting a European-backed candidate might challenge Infantino. Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish football league, stated that Infantino’s tenure was “over,” criticizing what he described as a “fundamentally flawed” system that has allowed Infantino to lead FIFA for a decade. Tebas further commented that this system is “destroying the football industry” for an event that lasts 40 days and involves only a minority of players.
Motsepe’s Future in Football and Politics
During his address in Johannesburg, Patrice Motsepe also clarified his own political and footballing ambitions, ruling out any future bids for the South African presidency or the FIFA presidency. The 64-year-old mining magnate has been frequently mentioned in South African media as a potential successor to his brother-in-law, President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose second and final term concludes in 2029.
Motsepe dismissed these speculations, stating, “South Africa does not need me to go into politics.” He affirmed his belief that the country has many capable leaders. He also explicitly ruled out any desire to succeed Gianni Infantino as FIFA chief, stating, “I have no desire or ambition to be president of FIFA. That doesn’t excite me.” Motsepe’s current term as CAF president is set to end in 2029.
The debate surrounding South Africa’s presidential succession has intensified within the governing African National Congress (ANC), particularly as Ramaphosa navigates a challenging second term following the party’s worst electoral performance, which led to an uneasy coalition government. Ramaphosa has also faced renewed scrutiny over a cash-heist scandal involving $4 million stolen from his private game farm. Impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa were blocked by the ANC in 2022 but were revived by the Constitutional Court in May.
Motsepe attended the ANC’s national general council meeting in December, where some delegates wore T-shirts with the slogan “PM27,” referencing a potential presidential bid in 2027. A lobbying website with the same name has also been launched. Despite these developments, Motsepe has consistently brushed aside suggestions of entering the political contest, stating, “The only problem I have is I’m not part of any group.”
Motsepe, who founded and owns the mining company African Rainbow Minerals, is recognized as Africa’s eighth richest person, with an estimated personal wealth of $3.5 billion. He became the first black South African to be included on the Forbes billionaire list in 2012. He also owns CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns. Motsepe has indicated he will not seek re-election for the CAF presidency when his current term concludes in 2029.
CAF Initiatives and Future Outlook
In addition to discussing leadership roles, Patrice Motsepe also addressed other topics during his media briefing in Johannesburg. He commended the performance of African teams at the 2026 World Cup and announced an increase in prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday. These initiatives underscore CAF’s commitment to developing football across the continent.
Motsepe reiterated his personal support for Gianni Infantino, emphasizing that Infantino is not only a friend but also “loyal to Africa.” He expressed his view that a FIFA president must be as committed to African football development and growth as Infantino is, and stressed the importance of collaborating with other confederations for the overall success of football, particularly on the African continent. Motsepe highlighted the importance of private discussions with Infantino, stating, “what is more important is what we discuss in private.”
Motsepe’s commitment to serving no more than two terms at CAF was also a key point of his discussion. He mentioned that he was initially only supposed to serve one term, but some partners convinced him to stay, indicating that their financial support to CAF was tied to his leadership. His current term as CAF president is set to end in 2029, and he has confirmed he will not seek re-election.
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Source: channelstv.com
