Who will rule African Football? The 4 men eyeing Patrice Motsepe's CAF presidency

Breaking down the candidates to replace Patrice Motsepe

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Who will rule African Football? The 4 men eyeing Patrice Motsepe's CAF presidency

Samuel Eto'o is among four prominent African football officials being linked with the succession of CAF president Patrice Motsepe whose leadership faces renewed scrutiny following the controversy surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations calendar.

The future leadership of the Confederation of African Football CAF has become a growing subject of discussion, with several influential figures reportedly considering their positions ahead of a possible presidential contest.

According to an investigation published by The Guardian on 13 October, former Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o, Mauritania's Ahmed Yahya, Ivory Coast's Yacine Idriss Diallo and Djibouti's Souleiman Waberi have emerged as potential successors to Motsepe.

The report also suggests that additional figures from southern Africa could enter discussions surrounding CAF's future leadership.

However, none of the four named officials has formally announced a presidential candidacy.

Who are the four potential successors to Patrice Motsepe?

Samuel Eto'o – Cameroon

Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o is one of the most recognisable figures linked with a possible leadership change.

The four time African Footballer of the Year currently serves as president of the Cameroon Football Federation FECAFOOT and sits on CAF's Executive Committee.

He also chairs CAF's Technical and Development Committee, giving him an additional role within African football's governing structure.

His potential interest in the presidency is not a new subject.

In March 2025, Foot Africa examined the possibility of Eto'o becoming CAF president in 2029, shortly after he secured his place on the Executive Committee.

Despite the renewed speculation, Eto'o has not publicly confirmed plans to challenge Motsepe or contest the next presidential election.

Samuel Eto’o se positionne pour devenir président de la CAF https://t.co/VArAXqZrhO
— Foot Mercato (@footmercato) October 13, 2026

Ahmed Yahya – Mauritania

Ahmed Yahya, president of the Mauritanian Football Federation, is another official mentioned in the report.

He serves on CAF's Executive Committee and secured a seat on the FIFA Council during the March 2025 elections in Cairo.

His international responsibilities provide experience in both African and global football administration.

As Foot Africa reported following the 2025 FIFA Council elections, Yahya was among six representatives elected to serve African football at FIFA level for the 2025–2029 cycle.

There has been no formal declaration of a CAF presidential campaign from the Mauritanian official.

Yacine Idriss Diallo – Ivory Coast

Yacine Idriss Diallo, president of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), has also been identified as a possible successor.

Diallo has overseen Ivorian football during a period that included the country's successful hosting of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations which ended with the Elephants winning the continental title in February 2024.

He joined CAF's Executive Committee in April 2025 and was subsequently re-elected as president of the Ivorian Football Federation in September 2026.

His name has now entered the wider discussion about CAF's future leadership, although no official presidential bid has been announced.

Souleiman Waberi – Djibouti

Souleiman Waberi completes the four names identified in the report.

The Djiboutian football official holds positions on both CAF's Executive Committee and the FIFA Council.

However, his situation has become complicated by a dispute involving the leadership of the Djibouti Football Federation.

The Guardian has reported that Waberi faces allegations of embezzlement and money laundering, which he denies.

His inclusion among the potential successors therefore comes amid separate questions surrounding his position in Djiboutian football.

Patrice Motsepe n'a jamais été aussi affaibli au sein de la CAF Plusieurs présidents cherche déjà à lui succéder (Ahmed Yahya, Idriss Diallo, Samuel Eto'o, Souleiman Waberi...) mais attendent le feu vert d'Infantino pour faire partir l'homme d'affaires sud-africain Enquête avec @ed_aarons https://t.co/jhyouHInEl
— Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) October 13, 2026

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.