Motsepe chooses Africa over Fifa top job

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Patrice Motsepe says he will leave CAF in 2029 after two terms and will not stay for a third.

• Motsepe ruled out becoming Fifa president and backed Gianni Infantino, saying he has been loyal to African football.

Patrice Motsepe says he will leave his job as CAF president when his second term ends in 2029.

He has also ruled out running for the Fifa presidency.

The Citizen reported that Motsepe confirmed his plans during a press conference in Sandton on Wednesday.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns owner became CAF president in March 2021 and won a second term in 2025.

He said nobody would convince him to stay for a third term.

“Nobody is going to persuade me to spend more than two terms as CAF president,” Motsepe said.

Motsepe also backed current Fifa President Gianni Infantino, who he called a close and loyal friend.

“I personally support Infantino. He is a good friend, a loyal friend,” he said. “He is loyal to Africa. When people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back.”

Motsepe said helping African football still excites him, but he does not want Fifa’s top job.

“To help in Africa, that excites me. Fifa doesn’t need me,” he said. “There are other people who are very good and who do a good job.”

Picture caption: CAF President Patrice Motsepe speaks to the media.

Image source: @Caf_Online