Samuel Eto’o, the next CAF president?

The U-turn on the Africa Cup of Nations schedule weakens Patrice Motsepe and reignites the battle for his succession

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Samuel Eto’o, the next CAF president?

Patrice Motsepe’s succession is already beginning to take shape at CAF, with Samuel Eto’o among the names being mentioned to take over.

The next battle for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football could already be taking shape. According to The Guardian, Samuel Eto’o could be among the officials considering a bid to succeed Patrice Motsepe at the head of CAF.

The president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, who is also a member of CAF’s executive committee, is thus emerging as one of several names being mentioned as Motsepe’s position is said to have weakened. Several African federations are reportedly said to have lost confidence in the current South African president over the past few months.

🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Samuel Eto'o is currently a possible candidate to become the new CAF president. It's been reported that many African nations have lost confidence in the current president. https://t.co/JFJkLYZ4lj
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 14, 2026

Eto’o among the names already being mentioned

Samuel Eto’o would not be the only one looking beyond the Motsepe era. Ahmed Yahya, Yacine Idriss Diallo and Souleiman Waberi are also being presented as possible contenders for the presidency of the continental governing body.

For the former FC Barcelona and Inter Milan striker, a potential candidacy would mark a new stage in his transition into football administration. Since taking charge of the Cameroonian Federation, Eto’o has gradually strengthened his presence within African football’s governing bodies.

Confidence in Motsepe is said to have eroded

Patrice Motsepe’s situation reportedly became more difficult in particular after CAF’s U-turn over the schedule for the Africa Cup of Nations. Although a switch to a competition held every four years had been decided, the continental governing body is reportedly preparing to return to a tournament held every two years, just ten months later.

This change of direction, which is expected to be confirmed in November in Abidjan, is said to have fuelled criticism from several African officials and deepened doubts about CAF’s current governance.

Patrice Motsepe, for his part, has indicated that he will not seek a third term in 2029. He also assured that the 54 African federations would support Gianni Infantino in his next bid for the FIFA presidency.

A succession that could become a central issue

Alongside this political fragility, several other sensitive issues remain, notably CAF’s finances and questions surrounding the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

In this context, Samuel Eto’o’s name is likely to continue to feature prominently in discussions about the future of the governing body. At this stage, no official candidacy has been announced, but the idea of a succession to Motsepe is now firmly established in the debate.