By Babs Oyetoro
South African mining magnate, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has finally emerged as the new president of Confederation of African Football (CAF). His election was predictable because he had a smooth sail to the throne as other contestants decided to step down for the Mamelodi Sundowns proprietor.

All that transpired before and during the election had been confined to dustbin of history, but the reality now is for Motsepe to take over the driver seat and lead CAF to a safe destination.

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The business tycoon should know from the outset that presiding over CAF affairs is not a call to a tea party. It is a call to duty, a call to serve the continent, a call to showcase to the whole world that something good can still come out of African football. Before now, CAF as a body, was synonymous with corruption‚ poor governance‚ lack of transparency and financial inadequacy.

The South African billionaire mining magnate will be expected to turn around the long-ailing continental ruling body.

For many years‚ the rights to broadcast marquee tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations‚ CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, were held by European companies.

Those companies often made it difficult for African broadcasters to afford sub-licensing and as a result most people have not been able to watch those tournaments in recent years. As things stand‚ many football fans in South Africa can’t watch Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on television because their matches are only available on streaming platforms‚ which are not easily accessible to most people. This is disastrous to CAF as it affects sponsorship and income revenue value.

Resolving CAF’s broadcast issues‚ which have denied millions access to Champions League and Confederation Cup games on TV‚ will enhance Motsepe’s popularity across the continent and send a message to the doubters of the organisation (outsiders) that his intentions are clear and honourable.

Over the years‚ CAF lacked credible leadership as the continental body has stumbled from one controversy to another, with leaders often accused of wrongful business practices when negotiating big contracts that were supposed to benefit African football. It is incumbent on Motsepe to repair the damaged image and reputation of the organisation. If African football is to prosper‚ CAF must take the lead in ethical and credible leadership, so that it wins back the trust of the fans‚ and corporations are willing to put their financial muscle behind CAF’s competitions.

Another issue that calls for urgent attention of Motsepe is Women’s football. Women football is growing at a rapid pace globally and Africa cannot afford to be left behind when it comes to growing the sport. The successful FIFA Women’s World Cup in France in 2019 proved that there is huge appetite for women’s football globally.

One of Motsepe’s priorities must be to ensure all the countries come up with concrete plans of how they are going to implement structures to develop the women’s game. He will leave an indelible legacy if during his first term of office most African countries establish professional leagues for women.

There is no doubt that with his reputation as a successful businessman‚ Motsepe has strong connections with captains of industry who may have been put off by the lack of ethical leadership at CAF. He must use his international business connections‚ especially on the continent‚ to lure companies that will heavily invest in tournaments like the Cup of Nations‚ Champions League‚ Confederation Cup and the Women’s Champions League.