A candidate keen on running for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidency in 2025 has reportedly been revealed.
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Patrice Motsepe's first term as CAF president comes to an end in March 2025.
The South African businessman has seemingly resuscitated a struggling institution, settling the body's television broadcast issue with Lagardere Sports, increasing the prize money for various CAF interclub competitions, and helping the recent Africa Cup of Nations generate $80 million (R1.4 billion) in net profit, among other initiatives.
Many African football chiefs have lauded the South African's term as the head of African football's governing body, but it seems there is someone bold enough to succeed the former Mamelodi Sundowns chairman.
According to Egyptian journalist Mohamed Saeed, as per Le Site Info Sports, former Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida is keen to become the next CAF president.
The same report, however, states that him running for the presidency is contingent on amendments being made to the rules as to who is allowed to become the next head of CAF.
According to Article 18, Section 9 of the 2023 CAF Statues, nobody over the age of 70 can run for the aforementioned position, but it is understood that, so far, eight football associations have filed for the rule to be cancelled, and an official decision will be heard at the next General Assembly in Kinshasa.
If the rule is not changed, Rida will be ineligible to run as he is currently 71 years old.
It remains to be seen whether or not Motsepe will push for re-election, and at the 2023 AFCON, the Pretoria native did not give a definitive answer when asked if he would stand again.
"Part of the duty I have as president of CAF is to make sure that there's leadership that can take over from me immediately. Because we always assume that the president is going to step down when his term comes to an end," the 62-year-old said, as per SABC Sport.
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Motsepe, however, seems to be popular among his contemporaries, with Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Musa Gusau recently calling for the South African to return for a second stint as head of CAF.
