Pressure Mounts on Patrice Motsepe as AFCON Cycle Changes Spark Rivalry

The heat is on for Patrice Motsepe as his reign at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) faces mounting scrutiny. After announcing a surprise shift back to a biennial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) cycle, many officials across the continent are expressing their waning confidence in his leadership. The Caf executive committee is set to confirm this return at their meeting in Abidjan next month. This decision follows Motsepe’s unexpected announcement, which comes just ten months after the tournament was slated to be held every four years. While many support the change, there are growing concerns about Motsepe’s management and the overall trust in Caf’s direction. Interestingly, it seems that many national association presidents were caught off guard by Motsepe’s announcement, as it wasn’t discussed prior to his reveal at a strategic conference in Cape Verde. He has also declared he won't run for re-election in 2029 and has pledged unwavering support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president next March on behalf of all 54 Caf member associations. Infantino remains a popular figure in Africa, though there are indications that 10 to 15 member associations may oppose his re-election, as reported in August. Meanwhile, Motsepe’s potential successors are lining up, hoping to secure Infantino’s backing if Motsepe decides to step aside early. Among the names being floated is Samuel Eto’o, the former Barcelona and Inter Milan star, who is currently leading Cameroon’s football federation. Others in the mix include Ahmed Yahya from Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire’s Yacine Idriss Diallo, and Souleiman Waberi from Djibouti, who faces serious legal issues but denies any wrongdoing. More candidates may emerge, particularly from southern Africa. Insiders suggest that Infantino’s relationship with Motsepe has been strained, especially after the controversial appointment of Somali referee Omar Artan for UEFA’s Super Cup final, despite his travel restrictions to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup. However, reports indicate that their relationship may be improving as Infantino works to strengthen his support in Africa. At the Cape Verde conference, Motsepe promised an annual payout of around $700,000 to each national association, a significant increase from previous years. He also raised meeting attendance fees for executive committee members and introduced a new annual bonus, aiming to enhance support and morale. Despite these efforts, financial challenges loom over Caf. The current broadcast deal with IMG is set to expire after the 2027 AFCON, and doubts are surfacing regarding the tournament’s readiness, particularly in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Some speculate that this tournament could be pushed back to the holiday season, potentially disrupting the European club calendar. Caf is currently exploring new broadcasting offers for future tournaments, but details on the structure and potential impact of the shift back to a biennial AFCON cycle remain unclear. A Caf spokesperson confirmed that negotiations are ongoing and no broadcasting rights have yet been finalized.