When Patrice Motsepe, a South African billionaire and mining magnate, was elected president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in March 2021, expectations soared. Touted as Africa’s ninth-richest man by Forbes, with a fortune estimated at $3 billion, Motsepe was heralded as a transformative figure who would elevate African football to global prominence. His business acumen, political connections – being the brother-in-law of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa – and ownership of the successful Mamelodi Sundowns club fueled optimism that he would bring financial stability, transparency, and competitive growth to a confederation long plagued by corruption and mismanagement.
Yet, four years into his tenure, with his unopposed re-election in March 2025, the initial hype has given way to widespread disappointment. Critics argue that Motsepe has failed to deliver on his lofty promises, instead appearing as an overrated figure overly aligned with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, prioritizing personal business interests over the broader development of African football. This raises a broader lesson: polished individuals with curated media personas often overshadow the need for hands-on experience, passion, and genuine commitment in leadership roles.
The Hype: A Billionaire’s Promise to Revolutionize African Football
HEAVY HITTER: Patrice Motsepe Chilling With The “Big Boys”
Motsepe’s ascent to the CAF presidency was marked by grand expectations. His 2021 manifesto, titled “Building African Football To Be The Best In The World,” outlined ambitious goals: improving governance, increasing revenue through private-sector partnerships, introducing video assistant referees (VAR), and ensuring every African nation had a FIFA-standard stadium. As the first Anglophone African to lead CAF, breaking the Francophone dominance, he was seen as a breath of fresh air following the scandal-ridden tenure of his predecessor, Ahmad Ahmad, who was banned by FIFA for ethics violations. Motsepe’s business credentials were emphasized as a key asset. Having founded African Rainbow Minerals and turned marginal gold mines into profitable ventures, he was expected to apply the same Midas touch to CAF’s finances, which had suffered a $40 million deficit under Ahmad’s regime.
Motsepe’s election was not without controversy, however. FIFA President Gianni Infantino played a significant role in securing his position, brokering a deal that saw Motsepe’s rivals—Jacques Anouma, Augustin Senghor, and Ahmed Yahya – withdraw their candidacies in exchange for vice-presidential roles. This move drew accusations of FIFA interference, with critics labeling Motsepe as Infantino’s “puppet.” Despite this, many African football stakeholders initially overlooked these concerns, hoping Motsepe’s wealth and business savvy would usher in a golden era.
The Reality: A Presidency Marked by Stagnation and Allegiance to Infantino
LIABILITY: Gianni Infantino’s dalliance with CAF has come at huge expense to Patrice Motsepe’s productivity
Four years later, the optimism has largely dissipated. While CAF’s financial situation has improved – reducing its deficit to under $10 million by 2023 and generating a $72 million profit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) – these gains are overshadowed by a lack of transformative progress in key areas. Motsepe’s promise to ensure every African nation has a FIFA-standard stadium remains unfulfilled. In 2021, 36 countries could not host international matches due to inadequate infrastructure; by 2025, this number has only decreased to 12, a modest improvement that Motsepe himself admitted is “still a big number.” Nations like Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe continue to play qualifiers in neutral venues, depriving fans of home support and stunting grassroots growth.
On the pitch, African football’s global standing has not significantly improved. While Morocco’s semifinal run at the 2022 World Cup was a historic achievement, it was more a testament to the country’s long-term investment in football than a direct result of Motsepe’s leadership. At the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, African teams have shown inconsistent performances, with only nine guaranteed spots in the expanded 48-team tournament. The introduction of VAR, one of Motsepe’s flagship promises, has been slow and uneven, with many continental matches still lacking the technology due to cost and logistical challenges—a point of frustration echoed by coaches like Pitso Mosimane, who in 2022 publicly questioned what changes Motsepe had brought to CAF.
Motsepe’s close alignment with Gianni Infantino has further fueled criticism. His unopposed re-election in 2025, mirroring Infantino’s own uncontested FIFA re-elections, has been seen as a sign of suppressed competition rather than genuine support. Infantino’s presence at Motsepe’s re-election in Cairo, coupled with Motsepe’s appointment as a FIFA vice president, has led to accusations that he prioritizes FIFA’s agenda over CAF’s needs. Critics argue that Motsepe’s loyalty to Infantino—potentially securing Africa’s 54 votes for Infantino’s future FIFA campaigns – has come at the expense of independent leadership for African football. South African media outlets like *The Sowetan* have even described this dynamic as “indirect recolonization,” where European influence dictates African football governance.
Business Interests Over Football Development
FORBES BILLIONAIRE: Patrice Motsepe’s billionaire status has added no value to African football
Perhaps the most damning critique of Motsepe’s tenure is the perception that he has used his CAF presidency to extend his business interests rather than focus on football’s holistic development. As a mining magnate with investments across 40 African countries through African Rainbow Capital, Motsepe’s role as CAF president provides unparalleled access to African heads of state and business networks. His frequent engagements with governments, often cited as efforts to secure stadium funding, are viewed by some as opportunities to strengthen his business empire. For instance, his push for private-sector involvement in football infrastructure aligns suspiciously with his own investment portfolio, raising questions about conflicts of interest.
Motsepe’s ownership of Mamelodi Sundowns, which he handed over to his son Tlhopie upon taking the CAF presidency, has also benefited from his position. Sundowns has continued to dominate South African football and is set to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, a platform that enhances the club’s global brand – and, by extension, the Motsepe family’s financial interests. Meanwhile, smaller African clubs and federations struggle for funding, despite CAF doubling its annual grants to member associations to $400,000 in 2024. This disparity suggests that Motsepe’s vision for African football may be more elitist than inclusive, favoring established entities over grassroots development.
The Lesson: Beware of the Polished Persona
Painful Lesson: A billionaires money is NOT your money
Motsepe’s tenure underscores a broader lesson: individuals with polished media personas and curated demeanor should not be blindly trusted over those with hands-on experience, passion, and commitment. Motsepe’s lack of prior football administration experience was overlooked in favor of his billionaire status and business success. Yet, football governance requires more than financial acumen – it demands a deep understanding of the sport’s ecosystem, from grassroots to elite levels, and a genuine passion for its growth. Motsepe’s media-shy nature and carefully controlled public image, often highlighted by his presence at high-profile events like the World Economic Forum, created an aura of competence that has not translated into meaningful change for African football.
Contrast this with leaders like Issa Hayatou, CAF’s president from 1988 to 2017, who, despite his own controversies, had decades of football administration experience and a deep connection to the sport. Motsepe’s predecessor, Ahmad Ahmad, while flawed, came from a football background as a former player and coach. Motsepe, however, entered the role as an outsider, and his presidency reflects this disconnect. His focus on financial metrics and private-sector partnerships, while important, has neglected the sport’s cultural and competitive dimensions, leaving many fans and stakeholders feeling that African football remains stuck in the “Issa Hayatou era,” as Pitso Mosimane noted in a 2022 post on X.
Conclusion: A Call for Authentic Leadership
Dr. Issa Hayatou: A true African statesman and son of the soil, who didn’t mortgage African football for personal gain like Patrice Motsepe
Patrice Motsepe’s CAF presidency, now extended to 2029 following his unopposed re-election, has fallen short of the transformative heights promised in 2021. While he has stabilized CAF’s finances, his inability to address infrastructure gaps, elevate African football’s global competitiveness, and distance himself from FIFA’s influence has left many disillusioned. More troubling is the perception that his business interests have taken precedence over the sport’s broader needs, casting doubt on his commitment to African football’s growth.
This saga serves as a cautionary tale: the allure of a polished, billionaire figurehead can overshadow the qualities that truly matter in leadership – experience, passion, and a genuine dedication to the cause. African football deserves a better leader than Patrice Motsepe, who prioritizes the sport over personal gain, one who can inspire and unite rather than merely manage. Until such a leader emerges, the continent’s footballing dreams will remain unfulfilled, a stark reminder that hype, without substance, cannot deliver lasting change.
