The South Africa Football Association (SAFA) on Monday confirmed the interest of Mamelodi Sundowns owner, Patrice Motsepe to vie for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidency ahead of Thursday deadline.
Motsepe, who is the tenth richest man in Africa, according to Forbes magazine; with an estimated net worth of $2.4billion declared his interest to contest in the wake of incumbent president, Ahmad Ahmad’s decision to run for a second term.
The 58-year-old’s intention was announced in his stead during a joint press conference in Johannesburg by SAFA president, Danny Jordaan and South Africa sports minister Nathi Mthethwa.
“The SAFA national executive committee approved on a round robin basis by overwhelming majority the decision that we must support the candidature of Patrice Motsepe for the position for the CAF president,” Jordaan told the media on Monday while insisting that the federation needed to improve and Motsepe was the man they could trust.
According to reports, FIFA president, Gianni infantino had already endorsed Motsepe for the presidential seat, citing that the South African business mogul is in poll position to win the election.
The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who was part of the conference via zoom rescinded his decision to contest for the CAF presidency and has given his backing to Motsepe instead.
“He has more superior quality than me,” said Pinnick. “It is not about me, it is about African football.
“If you have someone with superior qualities, you have to learn from him and queue behind him and wait for your time.”
The chairman of 2016 African club champions Mamelodi Sundowns becomes the third person to bid for the role, after incumbent Ahmad and Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast.
However, Ahmad’s ability to contest March’s elections is in doubt over an impending ban from football after being found guilty of breaching various FIFA ethic codes.
