Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe has received a major boost in his quest to hold the highest office in continental football.
FIFA, the world football governing body, last night confirmed that Motsepe was eligible to become its vice president, a position he automatically takes over should he be elected as the next CAF president in March.
This follows further integrity tests mandated by CAF, the African football motherbody, earlier this month as the race for the top job within the federation hots up.
Motsepe is contesting with three other candidates – Augustin Senghor (Senegal), Jacques Anouma (Ivory Coast) and Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) – to dethrone Ahmad Ahmad, the incumbent who has been effectively ruled out of campaigning for re-election after FIFA banned him from all football activities for five years owing to financial misconduct.
Initially, Senghor and Anouma were "authorised" to appear on the list of candidacy for the CAF position by governance committee within CAF itself, while Motsepe and Yahya were to be subjected to "further" integrity checks.
But last night, the big boost was announced via a letter sent directly to Motsepe by the chairman of the FIFA review committee, Mukul Mudgal.
Motsepe, though yet to speak publicly about his desire to become CAF president, has been on a campaign trail as confirmed by SAFA president Danny Jordaan.
The Downs boss needed SAFA's endorsement as his local FA to be eligible and has since garnered support in other parts of the country.
CAF elections will be held on March 12 in Morocco.
