March 12 – In the latest football election by acclamation, Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected as the president of African football for another four years, promising the confederation electorate new riches of $1 billion.
The South African mining tycoon needed only the Confederation of African Football (CAF) members’ applause to secure a second term as the continent’s football chief. He ran unopposed, reflecting a growing trend in the game of ‘elections’ by acclamation. Last October, Motsepe said widespread support among the membership as the reason to seek a renewal of his mandate until 2029.
Motsepe, who came to power in 2021 following the ‘Pact of Rabat’ and with the support of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, promised the membership a cash-rich future.
“The tender is open for the $1 billion contribution to African football over the next eight years and it’s going very well,” said Motsepe. “We have to comply with Comesa, because there are regulations in Comesa that you cannot conclude an agreement for more than four years. We don’t only have to comply, but we respect those regulations. And many of the partners we are talking to are saying, but, you know, president of CAF, you want $1 billion, but we will give you $1 billion, but we need more years.”
“So the aim is to give every African nation, every African nation $1 million, starting around about 2026.”
Earlier this week, CAF began the search for a marketing agency with the launch of a tender for media, broadcast and sponsorship rights for the confederation’s national teams competitions including the 2027 and 2029 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Motsepe arrived at CAF when the organisation was reeling from the loss of a $1 billion contract with French agency Lagardere. Strapped for cash, CAF were forced to pay a $50 million settlement.
However, Motsepe, who has always talked up partnerships with the private sector, first spoke of a new mammoth agency deal at the last Africa Cup of Nations.
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