Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe will run for a second term as the head of the continent’s football governing body when elections are held next year, CAF announced on Friday.

The South African billionaire mining magnate was elected unopposed, opens new tab in March 2021 after emerging as the preferred candidate of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“Following requests from numerous CAF member association presidents, zonal union presidents and key stakeholders, the CAF president, Dr Patrice Motsepe has finally agreed to stand as a candidate at the CAF presidential elections scheduled for March 2025,” said a brief statement, opens new tab on the CAF website.

CAF did not provide details on who had asked Motsepe to stand again but it has become commonplace at both FIFA and CAF for candidates seeking re-election to solicit supporting letters.

No other candidates have declared their intention to stand for the leadership of the sport in Africa, although the deadline for nominations is four months before the date of elections.

The 62-year-old Motsepe was the first Black African to be included on Forbes’ list of billionaires and according to the magazine has a net worth of $3 billion.

Patrice Motsepe, the South African president of the Confederation of African Football, CAF will seek for re-election in March next year when his current term expires.

According to the football governing body’s website, following requests from numerous CAF Member Association Presidents, Zonal Union Presidents and key stakeholders, Dr Patrice Motsepe has finally agreed to stand as a candidate at the CAF Presidential Elections scheduled for March 2025.

BY KOLA DANIEL

Sunday Akin Dare is a distinguished Nigerian journalist and communications expert with a career spanning over three decades. With a solid foundation in journalism and a wealth of experience in various media-related roles, Dare has made significant contributions to the field of media and communications both in Nigeria and internationally.

Dare’s journey in journalism began as a correspondent for prestigious publications such as The Nation magazine in New York and the European-backed Fourth Estate magazine during Nigeria’s military era.

He was also a key member of the founding team of Nigerian weekly magazines, The News and Tempo, showcasing his early commitment to quality journalism.

He numbers among the tribe of Guerrilla journalists who’ risked their lives to fight Military Dictatorship. 

His career turned global when he served as the Chief of the Hausa Service, African Division at Voice of America in Washington, DC. In this role, Dare managed diverse portfolios and led a team of international journalists across seven countries in Africa demonstrating his ability to oversee complex media operations and deliver impactful broadcast programs.

Dare’s expertise in media management was further honed during his tenure as the Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and Communications during the administration of President  Yar ‘Adua where he played a pivotal role in shaping media policies and public information dissemination.

Dare went on to serve as the Media Adviser/ Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s current President, Bola Tinubu.

His instrumental involvement in the sale of the 2.3 GHz spectrum frequency in 2014 underscored his strategic vision and leadership in the convergence that later occurred in the media sector. 

In addition to his governmental roles, Dare founded the Social Media Clinic (SMC), a pioneering program focused on educating citizens about IT development and new media usage for societal advancement. His commitment to leveraging technology for social good highlights his forward-thinking approach to media and information technology.

Dare’s exceptional career trajectory culminated in his appointment as the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where he effectively managed interactions with public and private sector stakeholders. His ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and drive strategic communications initiatives solidified his reputation as a respected figure in the telecommunications industry.

Throughout his career, Dare has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Voice of America Meritorious Honor Award and the Reuters Foundation Journalism Research Fellowship. His dedication to journalism and commitment to promoting media excellence have earned him accolades both in Nigeria and on the international stage.

With a Bachelor of Science in International Studies, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy, and a wealth of professional experiences from renowned institutions such as New York University and Harvard University and Oxford University, Sunday Akin Dare continues to be a trailblazer in the field of media and communications, shaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria and beyond.

He was awarded the National honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger CON.

Kola Daniel was media aid to Sunday Dare who was Nigeria’s 36th Minister of Sports