For years now, Patrice Motsepe’s name has had a way of popping up whenever big leadership conversations start in South Africa.
Lately, though, the talk isn’t about the Union Buildings or Luthuli House.
Instead, the spotlight has shifted to Zurich — and the very top of world football.
The South African billionaire, already a powerful figure in the game, is being whispered about as a future FIFA president.
CAF Success Has Changed the Conversation
Motsepe’s stock inside global football circles has risen sharply after another smoothly run Africa Cup of Nations.
As president of the Confederation of African Football, he has overseen tournaments that didn’t just deliver on the pitch but also made serious money off it.
Commercial deals linked to AFCON have reportedly pushed revenues up by close to 90%, a figure that’s hard to ignore in a sport obsessed with growth.
That financial turnaround has left many within FIFA quietly wondering whether Africa’s richest football administrator could eventually challenge for the biggest job of all.
Once Tipped for ANC Leadership, Now on a Different Path
Not too long ago, Motsepe was widely seen as a possible successor to President Cyril Ramaphosa within the ANC.
The parallels were obvious: both trained as lawyers, both seized early post-apartheid business opportunities, and both built vast corporate empires.
But football changed the script. Encouraged by figures within SAFA, Motsepe threw his hat into the ring for the CAF presidency in 2021.
After winning the role, he focused on cleaning up internal disputes and stabilising a federation weighed down by debt.
That experience, many believe, has quietly prepared him for something even bigger.
What It Takes to Win the FIFA Top Job
On paper, Motsepe ticks many of FIFA’s boxes.
His estimated net worth of around $3.5 billion gives him financial credibility, while his seat on FIFA’s ruling Council offers insider knowledge of how the organisation really works.
Still, ambition alone isn’t enough.
Any FIFA presidential hopeful must secure nominations from at least five national football associations.
That turns the race into a global diplomatic exercise, requiring alliances across Europe, South America, Asia and beyond.
With Gianni Infantino having expanded the World Cup and boosted revenues, any challenger would need a compelling alternative vision.
Drawing a Firm Line Under Politics
At a recent fundraising dinner in Houghton, Motsepe finally put local political rumours to bed.
He made it clear that leading a country carries a different kind of weight — one he isn’t chasing.
He acknowledged South Africa’s need for strong leadership but stressed that meaningful contributions don’t always require stepping into party politics.
In his view, there are other ways to serve, support and influence without standing for election inside the ANC.
Why Football, Not Parliament, Holds His Attention
With domestic politics off the table, Motsepe’s calendar suddenly looks far clearer.
FIFA elections happen every four years, and with the next vote scheduled for 2027 — the same year as the ANC’s national conference — the timing is intriguing.
That window gives him ample space to build international support, refine policy ideas and quietly campaign within football’s power structures.
It also allows him to continue managing his broad portfolio, which includes stakes in Mamelodi Sundowns, the Blue Bulls, and major mining and banking ventures.
ANC Supporters Still Aren’t Letting Go
Despite his public stance, Motsepe’s name continues to surface in informal ANC popularity polls.
Many supporters believe a man of his wealth and global standing could still be persuaded.
Party secretary general Fikile Mbalula, however, has poured cold water on that idea, warning against chasing unlikely scenarios and risking internal division.
In blunt terms, he’s urged the party to focus on reality, not wishful thinking.
The Big Question Still Hanging in the Air
So where does that leave Patrice Motsepe? On one hand, he remains a respected businessman and sports administrator with undeniable influence.
On the other, he’s a figure many South Africans still imagine at the helm of national leadership.
Whether his future lies in FIFA’s presidential office or firmly within football’s existing structures, one thing is clear: Motsepe isn’t done shaping big institutions yet.
The only real debate now is where his ambition will land — and what kind of leadership matters most in a changing world.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn