Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Patrice Motsepe has announced his intention to run for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidency.
Motsepe becomes the third person to bid for the role of CAF president, with incumbent Ahmad Ahmad and Ivorian Jacques Anouma both in the running.
According to Forbes magazine, Motsepe is Africa’s tenth richest man, with an estimate of $2.4 billion.
South Africa FA president Danny Jordan who was part of the press conference said that Motsepe is the appropriate person for the presidency.
“Caf must improve its global standing,” said South Africa FA president Danny Jordaan.
“He is the most appropriate person we could offer for the leadership of Caf. We do not want any compromise on governance or ethics in football.”
According to Jordaan, Motsepe who was not present at the press conference, was in quarantine after contracting Covid-19. Jordaan had South Africa’s Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa present.
Motsepe is the second candidate to announce his bid in less than 48 hours, after Anouma was formally backed by the Ivorian federation over the weekend.
The reigning CAF president Ahmad Ahmad declared his candidacy in October and it is under threat as he is set to face a ban from football after he was found to have breached various FIFA ethic codes.
The bid from Motsepe comes ahead of Thursday’s deadline for candidates to formally register their interest.
Motsepe is already receiving support from across Africa, as Botswana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone have publicly backed the South African.
Nigerian FA president Amaju Pinnick who was also present at the press conference (online) satated that he has no intentions of running for the post, and believes Motsepe has superior qualities.
“He has more superior qualities than me,” Pinnick said.
“It’s not about me, it’s about African football. If you have someone with superior qualities, you have to learn from him and queue behind him and wait for your time.”
Motsepe is able to contest for the position as he fulfils the requirements of having been involved in football for the past five years, having led Mamelodi Sundowns since 2004, and received the backing of his federation.
CAF elections will take place in March 2021, in Morocco.