The 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) elections, held on March 12 in Cairo, Egypt, were widely regarded as a shambolic display of governance, reflecting deep-seated issues within African football’s administrative structures. The unopposed re-election of Patrice Motsepe as CAF president and the disproportionate representation of North African candidates in the FIFA Council elections underscored a lack of competitive democracy, entrenched regional biases, and questionable integrity in the electoral process.
Unopposed Presidential Election: A Democratic Farce
Patrice Motsepe, the South African billionaire and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns, secured a second four-year term as CAF president without a single challenger. While Motsepe’s leadership since 2021 has been credited with stabilizing CAF’s finances and securing sponsorships, such as the extended TotalEnergies deal, the absence of opposition raises serious concerns about the openness of the electoral process. Motsepe’s announcement in October 2024 to run again came after “requests from numerous CAF member association presidents,” suggesting an orchestrated effort to discourage or sideline potential rivals.
LIABILITY: Gianni Infantino’s dalliance with CAF has come at huge expense to Patrice Motsepe’s productivity
This mirrors his 2021 election, where competitors like Augustin Senghor, Ahmed Yahya, and Jacques Anouma withdrew under FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s influence, reportedly in exchange for executive or advisory roles. The lack of contestation in 2025 points to either overwhelming confidence in Motsepe or, more critically, a system that stifles dissent and competition, undermining the democratic principles CAF claims to uphold.
FIFA Council Elections: North African Dominance
The elections for Africa’s six FIFA Council seats further exposed the skewed power dynamics within CAF. Incumbents Hany Abo Rida (Egypt) and Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) retained their positions with 35 and 49 votes, respectively, out of 52, demonstrating their entrenched influence. Lekjaa’s landslide victory, in particular, highlights Morocco’s growing dominance in African football governance, bolstered by its proactive role in hosting international events.
The other seats went to Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros), Hamidou Djibrilla Hima (Niger), Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania), and Souleymane Waberi (Djibouti), with North Africa securing significant representation through Egypt and Morocco. Notably, Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick, a prominent figure, was ousted with only 28 votes, signaling a shift in power toward North African and smaller federations.
African representatives to the FIFA Council where not a single Anglophone or Christian individual was “elected”
This regional imbalance is problematic. North Africa’s strong presence contrasts with the underrepresentation of other zones, such as West and Southern Africa, despite their significant footballing contributions. The voting patterns suggest bloc voting or strategic alliances, possibly influenced by political or financial incentives, rather than merit-based selections. The fact that a FIFA Council seat comes with a $250,000 annual compensation package raises questions about the motivations behind these elections, with allegations of vote-buying and favoritism long plaguing CAF’s processes.
Controversies and Governance Failures
The elections were marred by controversies that further eroded trust in CAF’s governance. Samuel Eto’o’s inclusion as a CAF executive committee candidate, after being initially excluded by CAF’s governance committee, required intervention from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Eto’o, a polarizing figure due to prior FIFA and CAF suspensions for ethical breaches, was elected unopposed for the Central Africa seat, highlighting CAF’s inconsistent application of eligibility criteria. The lack of transparency in candidate lists, with CAF failing to publish official contenders until close to the election date, added to the perception of a rigged process.
The acutely-polarizing figure Samuel Eto’o, who seems to escape sanctions unscathed
Moreover, the issues surrounding candidates in other races, such as Zambia’s Andrew Kamanga, who faced competitive disputes despite COSAFA and CECAFA backing, points to a system where bureaucratic and sectarian hurdles can be weaponized to favor certain candidates. The unopposed elections of several executive committee members, including Mustapha Ishola Raji (Liberia), Kurt Simeon-Okraku (Ghana), and Sadi Walid (Algeria), further suggest a lack of vibrant competition, with regional quotas often determining outcomes rather than open contests.
The CAF “unopposed” pandemic rears its ugly head
Broader Implications
The 2025 CAF elections reflect a broader malaise in African football governance: a tendency toward uncontested leadership and regional favoritism that stifles innovation and accountability. Motsepe’s unopposed re-election, while ensuring continuity, deprives CAF of the robust debate needed to address pressing issues like infrastructure development, youth football, and the exodus of talent to Europe. The North African tilt in the FIFA Council elections risks alienating other regions, potentially weakening CAF’s unity at a time when Africa is poised to have nine direct World Cup slots in 2026.
Critics argue that CAF’s alignment with FIFA, particularly under Infantino’s influence, has prioritized political consolidation over democratic principles. The elections’ predictability and lack of transparency fuel perceptions of CAF as a closed club, where power is concentrated among a few well-connected figures. This is particularly concerning given CAF’s history of corruption scandals, such as the ban of former president Ahmad Ahmad, which Motsepe was meant to move past.
CAF’s colonial master Gianni Infantino, powered by proceeds of crime laundered in the Swiss financial system
Conclusion
The 2025 CAF elections were a missed opportunity to demonstrate progress in African football’s governance. The unopposed presidential race and the North African-heavy FIFA Council outcomes exposed a lack of competitive spirit, regional inequities, and governance lapses. While Motsepe’s leadership has brought some stability, the absence of electoral contestation and the controversies surrounding key candidacies like Eto’o’s suggest that CAF remains far from a model of democratic integrity. For African football to thrive, CAF must foster genuine competition, ensure equitable representation, and prioritize transparency—qualities sorely lacking in this shambolic electoral process.
Anointed to fail: CAF President Patrice Motsepe in deep thought
