Patrice Motsepe secures second term as CAF president

CAF President Patrice Motsepe (C) CAF Media

By Erick Kariuki
Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Dr Patrice Motsepe will lead the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for another four years after being re-elected unopposed during the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo.

Dr Patrice Motsepe has secured a second four-year term as the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after being re-elected unopposed during the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo.

The assembly, held at the Marriott Mena House in Cairo, brought together key figures, including presidents of CAF’s 54 Member Associations, leaders of its six Zonal Unions, and senior international football stakeholders.

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“Following requests from numerous CAF Member Association Presidents, Zonal Union Presidents, and key stakeholders, Dr Patrice Motsepe has agreed to stand as a candidate at the CAF Presidential Elections,” CAF’s official communication had stated prior to his re-election.

Since assuming office in 2021, Motsepe has championed the development of African football through initiatives aimed at financial stability, competition expansion, and grassroots investment. His leadership has also strengthened CAF’s partnerships with FIFA and global sponsors, ensuring sustained growth for the continent’s football.

Alongside Motsepe’s re-election, the CAF General Assembly also saw significant elections to the FIFA Council, where six African representatives were elected. Kanizat Ibrahim, the President of the Comoros Football Federation, secured a historic seat on the FIFA Council, surpassing Lydia Nsekera and Isha Johansen. Ibrahim, who previously served as CAF’s fifth vice president and chaired its women’s football organizing committee, is expected to bring a strong voice for women’s football at the global level.

Other officials elected to the FIFA Council include;

Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) – 49 votes

Hani Abou Rida (Egypt) – 35 votes

Gabriela Hima Hamidou (Niger) – 35 votes

Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros) – 30 votes

Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) – 29 votes

Suleiman Hassan Waberi (Djibouti) – 29 votes

Ahmed Yahya’s election to the FIFA Council is historic for Mauritanian football. Under his stewardship, Mauritania achieved its first-ever qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.

Suleiman Hassan Waberi of Djibouti, who also secured a FIFA Council seat, expressed his excitement, highlighting the achievement as a testament to Djibouti’s growing influence in international football. “My election to the FIFA Committee is proof that the size of a country does not define its greatness, but its determination, commitment, and passion,” Waberi stated.

Meanwhile, the election results delivered a blow to Nigerian football, as former NFF President Amaju Pinnick failed to retain his seat on the FIFA Council, finishing with 28 votes, just one shy of the winning threshold. Zambia’s Andrew Kamanga (19 votes) and Senegal’s Augustin Senghor (13 votes) also fell short, with Senghor subsequently resigning from his CAF Vice President position.

Additionally, Mustapha Raji, President of the Liberia Football Association, secured a seat on the CAF Executive Committee. Running unopposed, Raji will represent the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone A. His election reflects his rising influence, having spearheaded financial reforms, youth development, and infrastructure projects in Liberia.

Joining him as unopposed representatives on the CAF Executive Committee are;