At the same time, the world soccer governing body reinstated suspended CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad. Despite being cleared by FIFA, Motsepe was due to face further scrutiny from CAF’’s Governance Committee last week Thursday, for further eligibility checks. The CAF outcome had not been communicated at press time. Motsepe from South Africa and Ahmed Yahya from Mauritania were not cleared at the first hurdle when CAF vetted candidates earlier this month. They were supposed to undergo further CAF eligibility checks with the outcome expected this week. However, FIFA had already cleared both candidates last week Tuesday, which should pave the way for their candidacy bringing the number of presidential candidates to four. But there could be further twists if reinstated CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad contests the decision to leave him out of the contest. A final verdict is expected to be delivered in March, but as it stands, Ahmad remains ineligible. FIFA had banned the Malagasy national for five years for breaking several of the world body’s ethics codes but he won his appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The entrance of Motsepe into the presidential race had left regional body, COSAFA divided. Botswana, Seychelles and Zimbabwe broke ranks after backing Motsepe while the rest had remained on Ahmad’s side. Ahmad slayed long serving Cameroon strong man, Issa Hayatou in 2017 to become CAF president. But even before his suspension, he was facing a challenger from within his region, COSAFA. COSAFA president, Phillip Chiyangwa was a staunch supporter of Ahmad and together with BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti, were instrumental in leading the successful 2017 campaign. But Botswana decided to back Motsepe, which left a region divided. However, last week, COSAFA unanimously agreed to back the South African billionaire, with Chiyangwa changing tone. “We are confident that once we take a unanimous decision to back one of our own, other members who want real change in CAF will join the winning party. In Dr Motsepe we have a candidate who will usher in a new era for African football,” Chiyangwa said after COSAFA’s executive meeting last week. The BFA is backing Motsepe, arguing his strong business acumen would be useful for the continental body. Letshwiti is also contesting for a position in the CAF executive committee. Motsepe faces Jacques Anouma (Ivory Coast), Augustin Senghor (Senegal) and Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) in the race to become CAF president. The elections take place on March 12 in Morocco.
