Motsepe's path cleared as Ahmad ban upheld

Motsepe’s three rivals withdrew from the contest last week, paving the way for the South African to assume football’s top post. However, president Ahmad Ahmad’s challenge against a five-year suspension, which was before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) meant there was the last hurdle to clear.

CAS did not reverse the decision, but instead, reduced Ahmad’s suspension to two years, which effectively rules out the Malagasy out of the contest. Ahmad was suspended early this year for among others, abuse of office and violating FIFA ethics. Motsepe has received support from FIFA president, Gianni Infantino after a deal was brokered to have other candidates withdraw. Ahmad attended the recent COSAFA meeting which was viewed as a huge vote of confidence on Motsepe’s candidature. In the following days, Motsepe’s rivals announced they were withdrawing from the presidential contest.