Eto’o, others eye CAF presidency as pressure mounts on Motsepe

Former Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o and other football administrators are reportedly positioning themselves to succeed Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe amid growing concerns over his leadership.

According to a report by the UK newspaper, The Guardian, published on Tuesday, football officials across Africa have reportedly raised questions about Motsepe’s management following his decision to reverse CAF’s plan to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years and return to a biennial schedule.

The proposed change is expected to be confirmed at CAF’s executive committee meeting in Abidjan next month, about 10 months after the decision to move the competition to a four-year cycle was taken.

The Guardian report by Ed Aarons and Romain Molina said the proposed return to a two-year AFCON cycle was believed to enjoy wide support across Africa, although concerns had reportedly emerged over the process through which the decision was reached.

The newspaper reported that several national football association presidents were unaware of Motsepe’s intention to announce the proposed change until the issue was raised at a strategic conference in Cape Verde last week.

Motsepe has also confirmed that he does not intend to seek a third term when his tenure expires in 2029. At the Cape Verde conference, he pledged Africa’s “unconditional support” for FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s re-election in March, claiming to speak on behalf of all 54 CAF member associations.

However, The Guardian reported that between 10 and 15 African football associations were considering voting against Infantino, despite his reported popularity across the continent.

Eto’o, others linked with CAF presidency

Eto’o, a former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker, is among the officials reportedly positioning themselves as potential successors to Motsepe.

The 45-year-old currently serves as president of the Cameroon Football Federation and is a member of CAF’s executive committee.

Other potential contenders named in the report include Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania, Yacine Idriss Diallo of Côte d’Ivoire and Souleiman Waberi, a FIFA Council member from Djibouti.

The Guardian reported that Waberi had been charged with embezzlement and money laundering, allegations he denied. It added that other candidates could emerge from southern Africa.

According to the report, Motsepe’s potential rivals were believed to be seeking Infantino’s approval if the South African billionaire were persuaded to leave office before the end of his tenure.

The newspaper quoted sources as suggesting that Infantino could play a decisive role in determining whether Motsepe remains in office.

Another option would be to challenge Motsepe through CAF’s statutory procedures. Under the confederation’s rules, an extraordinary general assembly can be convened following a written request from at least two-thirds of the executive committee’s members.

Infantino relationship, CAF finances under scrutiny

The Guardian also reported that relations between Infantino and Motsepe had come under strain after the CAF president allowed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate in UEFA’s Super Cup final in August.

Artan had reportedly been denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid tensions involving European football’s governing body.

However, sources told the newspaper that relations between the two football administrators had improved in recent weeks as Infantino sought to consolidate his support in Africa.

At the Cape Verde conference, Motsepe reportedly promised annual distributions of about $700,000 to each CAF member association, representing an increase of $500,000.

Payments to executive committee members for attending meetings were also reportedly increased from $150 to $350, while an annual bonus of about $8,000 was introduced for them.

The reported financial commitments have drawn attention to CAF’s finances and the future of its broadcasting arrangements.

The Guardian said CAF’s broadcasting deal with IMG was due to expire after the 2027 AFCON. In a report published in February, the newspaper had also raised concerns about the readiness of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to host the 2027 tournament as scheduled in June and July.

Some sources reportedly predicted that the competition could be moved to December and January, a change that would disrupt the European club football calendar.

CAF was also believed to have received broadcasting offers for future tournaments from IMG and an unnamed company. However, the structure of the proposed package and the commercial implications of returning to a two-year AFCON cycle remained unclear.