On Friday, South African businessman Patrice Motsepe was elected president of the African football confederation (CAF) without the need for a vote after a deal brokered by FIFA saw his three competitors withdraw and left him as the only candidate.
Motsepe, 59, a highly successful figure and well-known African mining billionaire but a man who has little experience in football administration, now has a seat at the sport’s top table but also the challenge of turning around FIFA’s most troubled confederation.
According to the president-elect of CAF, Motsepe explained "Africa needs collective wisdom, but also the exceptional talent and wisdom of every (national football association) president and every member nation."
It's worth noting that the African federation has suffered serious obstacles and barriers in recent years with all five qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia eliminated after the first round -- the worst showing in 36 years.
In 2020, Malagasy politician Ahmad Ahmad became the first CAF chairman to be banned by FIFA, with a five-year suspension for "governance issues" cut to two after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
It's worth mentioning that the 43rd CAF General Assembly took place in Rabat, Morocco on Friday, March 12th, 2021.
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