South African Billionaire Patrice Motsepe On CAF Exit And Supporting Infantino Who’s ‘Loyal To Africa’
Confederation of African Football president Dr Patrice Motsepe will not stand for re-election when his current term comes to an end. The South African entrepreneur says he has no interest in a position at FIFA and is backing Gianni Infantino to continue as president of the global body. Motsepe addressed the media on a range […]
Confederation of African Football president Dr Patrice Motsepe will not stand for re-election when his current term comes to an end. The South African entrepreneur says he has no interest in a position at FIFA and is backing Gianni Infantino to continue as president of the global body.
Motsepe addressed the media on a range of topics in Johannesburg on Wednesday, praising the African teams that competed at the 2026 World Cup and announcing an increase in prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, which kicks off on Sunday.
But it was his comments about his own future and that of Infantino that were perhaps the most interesting.
The mining billionaire has been rumored to be considering entering South African politics in the future, but he dismissed that notion too.
“Nobody is going to persuade me to serve more than two terms at CAF. It’s not going to happen,” Motsepe said, with his current term ending in 2029. “I was only supposed to serve one term, but some partners said, ‘If you leave, then the money we are paying CAF leaves with you’.”
Infantino has come under fire from various quarters over several incidents surrounding the 2026 World Cup, with some FIFA member associations suggesting they will not vote for him in the presidential elections in March next year.
“I personally support Infantino,” Motsepe said. “He’s not just a good friend, he’s loyal to Africa. I come from a background where, when people have been loyal to you, you never stab them in the back.
“You need to have a president of FIFA who is as committed to African football development and growth as Gianni is. And then you need to work with other confederations as well for the success of football, because we need football to develop and grow on the African continent.
“With Gianni, what is more important is what we discuss in private. I always look at the heart of a person. We are all human. We all make mistakes. I think I make more mistakes than anybody else.
“But what I like is his deep love for football, his deep commitment to the game and his support for Africa.”
Ends
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