South African Patrice Motsepe and Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya have been cleared to run for the Confederation of African Football (Caf) presidency despite previous doubts over the duo’s eligibility.
Fifa’s Review Committee has said both men can contest the 12 March elections, where they will take on Ivorian Jacques Anouma and Senegal FA president Augustin Senghor.
Mamelodi Sundowns President Patrice Motsepe has been cleared by the #Fifa Review Committee as eligible to run for Caf presidency. pic.twitter.com/ySFzKlEtFT
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) January 26, 2021
On 8 January, a Caf statement said ‘further checks were necessary before a final decision’ on Motsepe, the billionaire owner of South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, and Yahya, who has led Mauritania’s FA since 2011.
A day later, Caf’s interim president Constant Omari organised an Emergency Committee meeting whereupon it was stated that Fifa would determine the candidates’ eligibility.
Upon election, the Caf president automatically assumes a vice-presidency role with the global body.
Caf had previously said a hearing for both Motsepe and Yahya would ‘be organised in Cairo on 28 January’ but it is unclear whether this will still happen.
Caf Governance Committee head Michel Brizoua-bi declined to comment when asked by BBC Sport Africa on Tuesday if this meeting will still go ahead.
Madagascar’s Ahmad, who had been hoping to bid for a second term as Caf president until he was banned by Fifa in November, has been deemed ineligible to run in the elections.
He is appealing his ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport where even a reprieve, should one come, is likely to arrive too late to re-install his name on the list of candidates.
March’s elections will take place in the Moroccan capital Rabat, with the victor serving a four-year term.
