Governing Bodies
Patrice Motsepe re-elected unopposed as CAF President for second term
Dr Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed as President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) for a second four-year term.
The decision was confirmed at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo on Wednesday, extending his leadership of the organisation until 2029.
Motsepe’s re-election comes after a first term widely praised for stabilizing CAF’s finances and boosting its global profile.
Under his leadership, the organization set several new records at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Cote d’Ivoire 2023, attracting a record 1.4 billion viewers worldwide.
Prizemoney for major tournaments, including the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, has also increased significantly, alongside enhanced financial support for Member Associations.
The 63-year-old faced no opposition after the nomination deadline passed in November 2024.
His decision to run again followed requests from Member Association Presidents and key stakeholders.
“The goal remains making African football globally competitive, stabilizing finances, and investing in infrastructure,” he said.
Dr Motsepe’s unopposed re-election reflects both confidence in his leadership and the desire to see him elevate African football to new heights.
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY MITCHELL OBI
Now we know clearly and unquestionably who holds the treasured keys to the corridor and palace of CAF power.
Fouzi Lekjaa is more than a politician and beyond the resources and royalty padding him and his office, he should have a reputational religion that helps him win many souls in the African soccer kingdom.
His stupendous vote return in the election must provide material for students of African football politics.
And the thrust will be not on those who supported his candidacy for the FIFA Council but on the five gracious votes that denied him a total clean sweep.
His 49 votes were indeed a staggering return and anyone who aspires to be involved in the politics of the game today should have the blessing of Lekjaa…
Not loud, not ambitious, almost self-effacing with a dutiful bent, this Moroccan football lord has stirred up a new brand of bridge building that is simply engaging and perhaps enduring.
He goes into the FIFA Council with a voice that must be listened to at all times till 2030.
And if anyone may ask is this truly positive, does this commanding influence add value to the game in the continent and above all, is it not better to win votes in an election than this syndrome of contrapted acclamation which denies democratic choices.
For now, it is fair to say that the CAF elections today have provided us with a new visage of football leadership…diligence will always breed prominence.
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Governing Bodies
Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa overwhelmingly re-elected as Africa’s representative on the FIFA Council
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Expectedly, Fouzi Lekjaa was re-elected this Wednesday as the African representative on the FIFA Council.
He had 49 votes to beat his closest rival, thus underlining his popularity and that of Morocco in African football. He had 14 votes more than Hani Abou Rida of Egypt who came second in an election contested by nine, of which five were elected.
With his victory, Lekjaa will continue his membership of FIFA Council up till 2029, the eve of the World Cup that Morocco is co-hosting with Portugal and Spain.
The president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) became a FIFA Council member in 2021. His re-election is a testimony of his hard work and good relationship with other football administrators.
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has lost his seat in the FIFA Council. He got 28 votes, one short of the 29 obtained by Souleiman Hassan Waberi of Djibouti, the fifth person who got into the FIFA Council.
The results:
1. Fouzi Lekjaa: 49 votes – elected
2. Hani Abou Rida: 35 votes – elected
3. Djibrilla Hima Hamidou: 35 votes – elected
4. Ahmed Yahya: 29 votes – elected
5. Souleiman Waberi: 29 votes – elected
Amaju Pinnick: 28 votes
Andrew Kamanga: 19 votes
Yacine Diallo: 18 votes
Augustin Senghor: 13 votes
Mathurin de Chacus: Pulled out
WOMEN
Kanizat Ibrahim: 30 votes – elected
Lydia Nsekera: 13 votes
Isha Johansen: 07 votes
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Behold Fouzi Lekjaa, Africa’s new power of Football Administration
Patrice Motsepe re-elected unopposed as CAF President for second term
Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa overwhelmingly re-elected as Africa’s representative on the FIFA Council
- MEDIA5 days ago
SV Awards: I’m committed to Nigeria’s football development says Eguaoje
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING! Chelle rolls out his first ever Nigerian squad
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Rivers Utd, Shooting Stars setup potential thrilling triangular battle
- Badminton3 days ago
Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji clinches gold at Spanish Para Badminton International II
- Badminton1 week ago
Edo Sports Commission, Badminton Federation of Nigeria hold training for students
- Governing Bodies5 days ago
CAS rules in Eto’s favour to contest in CAF Elections
- Governing Bodies2 hours ago
BREAKING! Amaju Pinnick loses FIFA seat
- WOMEN'S FOOTBALL7 days ago
FIFA pushes back inaugural Women’s Club World Cup, introduces new competition