The SA Football Association (SAFA) and the Ministry of Sport called a press conference on Monday morning to confirm the endorsement of Patrice Motsepe as a shock candidate for the CAF presidency.

Read: Chiefs Rebuilding Hunt Gives Firm Response

Reports emerged last Friday that the mining magnate, who also owns Mamelodi Sundowns, had received the backing of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

In what SAFA described as a “significant” press conference in their invite to members of the media, the country’s football motherbody and Minister Nathi Mthethwa elaborated – at length, why Motsepe is gunning for the top job in African football administration.

Amaju Pinnick, the Nigeria FA president, threw his weight behind Motsepe, saying he would back the South African all the way despite the belief that it was he who would run for CAF presidency instead. 

Isha Johansen also endorsed Motsepe's candidacy. She is the president of the Sierra Leone FA. 

Botswana also joined forced with Nigeria and Sierra Leone - Motsepe, however, was not present to talk journalists through these latest developments.

Motsepe went into isolation last week after coming into contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19. 

Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar is the current CAF president and was voted into that position back in March 2017, replacing Issa Hayatou, whose reign lasted nearly 30 years.

The CAF member associations will return to the polls next year and Ahmad has indicated that he wants another four-year term.

But with the controversy that has surrounded his tenure, he is then likely to face stiff competition – and Motsepe is expected to be confirmed as one of his rivals for the post.

Read: Hunt: It's More Of A Disadvantage 

Motsepe has been busy boosting the Downs squad this season!