By Melusi Mlotsa | 2024-10-30

SOCCER - THE outgoing money-spinning CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has won the hearts of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) as he garners for a new term in office.

The local football gurus have nailed their true colours on the mast, as they have endorsed Dr Motsepe for the Presidency candidature in the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) during the 46th Ordinary General Meeting held last week in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. Dr Motsepe finally decided to stand for the elections following a request from numerous CAF Member Association presidents, Zonal Union presidents and key stakeholders for a second term. EFA President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane confirmed that they vouched for the mining magnate. “I can confirm that we have endorsed Dr Motsepe for the presidency position. Actually, the COSAFA region is in full support of him.

We believe Dr Motsepe’s re-election will ensure continuity of reforms and innovations that have already begun. We, therefore, urge all CAF members to back him for the betterment of football in the continent,” he said. The elections are expected to take place in March 2025. Under Dr Motsepe, CAF has grown in leaps and bounds in terms of development and profits. This is after he found the continental football body on a brink of bankruptcy in 2021 when he succeeded Ahmad Ahmad.

The African football governing body confirmed last week that all 54 Member Associations will see a significant increase in their annual grants. Motsepe stated that each Member Association would receive E17.5 million annually by 2026. Under his tenure, the Africa Cup of Nations, held in Ivory Coast earlier this year, generated E1.2 billion, a massive increase of E70.3 million from the previous edition in Cameroon. Presidents from the 54 Members Associations will each receive E879 000 as their annual salary. Meanwhile, Cameroon boss Samuel Eto is also reportedly gearing up for the CAF presidency.

share story          

Post Your Comments Below

---

Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo needs an instrument confirming that Princ...

read more