Sports News of 2026-10-16
Kurt Okraku, Samuel Eto’o and Others: Candidates who could succeed Motsepe as CAF president
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed he will not seek a third term when his current tenure ends in 2029, setting the stage for a change in leadership at the continental football governing body.
With African football preparing for a potential new era, attention is turning to administrators who could emerge as contenders to replace the South African billionaire.
Although the 2029 election remains some distance away and no official list of candidates has been announced, five names have featured in discussions and reports about potential successors.
1. Kurt Okraku – Ghana
Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku serves as CAF’s second vice-president and is among the senior figures in African football administration.
Having led the GFA since 2019, Okraku has also been involved in CAF’s executive leadership, giving him experience in the governance of football at both national and continental levels.
New embezzlement charge against Cameroon football chief Eto'o
2. Samuel Eto’o – Cameroon
Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o is president of the Cameroon Football Federation and a member of CAF’s Executive Committee.
One of Africa’s most celebrated former players, Eto’o has transitioned from his playing career into football administration and has emerged in reports discussing possible successors to Motsepe.
3. Ahmed Yahya – Mauritania
Ahmed Yahya is president of the Mauritania Football Federation and serves on FIFA’s Council.
His involvement in international football governance has placed him among the administrators whose names have surfaced in discussions about the CAF presidency.
4. Yacine Idriss Diallo – Ivory Coast
CAF increases annual funding to Ghana FA to $700,000 in major financial boost
Yacine Idriss Diallo heads the Ivorian Football Federation and is a member of CAF’s Executive Committee.
His role in the administration of Ivorian football has brought him into the continental governing body's leadership structure.
5. Souleiman Waberi – Djibouti
Souleiman Waberi is a senior football administrator from Djibouti who serves as a CAF vice-president and sits on FIFA’s Council.
His involvement in continental and international football governance has also placed him among the names mentioned in reports about the potential succession.
FKA/AM
