CAF president Patrice Motsepe has the full support to become the first African ever to lead FIFA when Gianni Infantino finally calls it a day as FIFA chief.
South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has given his blessing to the billionaire businessman and called him “Africa’s favoured candidate for the post to replace Infantino, when FIFA’s boss is tipped to be running for one last term to see him through to 2031”.
“I don’t know if there’s anybody who will disagree with his name; we will all support Patrice Motsepe to take over FIFA when his term is finished,” McKenzie had stated.
Motsepe himself has not expressed any desire to be FIFA president, but his endorsement from South Africa indicates the enormous support he is garnering for the cause from across African football.
The 64-year-old, who became CAF president in 2021, has since his appointment brought significant reforms and good governance, finance, and commercial development to African football, which had been plagued with corruption for years, and his leadership style in ensuring more investment flows into African football has been commended.
Africa, with its 54 football confederations, has a significant number of members, and it would likely play a very crucial role in any future FIFA election.
Infantino has every indication to be the heavy favorite to continue as FIFA president, but his days could be limited as the name Patrice Motsepe is widely seen across the African continent as a leader for the world game, an African who would make history.
