Motsepe brings SA full circle
The election of Patrice Motsepe as Confederation of African Football president puts South Africa centre-stage of sports politics on the continent and hands the country a leading role in the organisation for the first time since the early days when its formation was still being considered.
Motsepe will not only lead the organisation through the next four years, but the appointment of South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan as his special advisor means the country sits at the heart of power and will drive the agenda forward.
In a way, it completes a circle for South Africa as the last of the four founder members to control the presidency.
Egypt’s Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem was the first at the founding of CAF in 1957 and Sudan’s Abdel Halim Mohamed had two stints in charge 15 years apart. Yidnekatchew Tessema from Ethiopia led the organisation for 15 years and made African football a powerful international force. But it has taken a half century for Motsepe to fly Mzansi’s flag.
South Africa were there at the genesis of the organisation and also invited to the first ever Africa Cup
