Final stretch and negotiations, in the race for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football, CAF.
While the South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe takes advantage of the rallying support from FIFA, the Senegalese Augustin Senghor has thrown his weight in support of the South African businessman.
Negotiations are still ongoing to decide whether to support a single candidate while others are given various positions within the confederation.
The move has attracted a lot of criticism but Senghor believe their unity is drawn from the love of football
"I would say that the virtues of sport, and of football, in particular, are virtues that bring people closer together, it goes through the players so that it can be a football that brings humanity together," Sengor said.
He further reaffirmed his independence as a candidate, refuting claims by reports that his candidature is supported by FIFA.
"For some people or the press, you hear them say this one is the Fifa candidate, this one is the candidate of so-and-so. I claim to be the candidate of Africa, for Africa first," Senghor said.
Another candidate in the race Jacques Anouma, president of the Ivorian football federation also announced his withdrawal on national TV: "I have decided to withdraw my candidacy," said the 69-year-old.
"By achieving this sacred union of the best African wishes around Caf, with a common program, we will be able to contribute together to its recovery. I will put my unique experience of continental and global football at the service of the necessary reconstruction of African football," he added.
Ahmed Yahya is also on record to have withdrawn his candidacy in the race as to who replaces embattled Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad who is banned from contesting in the vote.
FIFA had asked the four contestants to reach a deal where Motsepe is to be the president, Sengor the vice president Ahmed Yahya second vice-president, and Jacques Anouma special advisor to the president.
The four are set to agree this Saturday in Rabat during Africa Under 20 Cup of Nations final. The CAF Presidential election is scheduled to be held in Rabat, Morocco on March 12.
The FIFArisation of African football is, tonight, complete.
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) March 5, 2021
All three candidates who were to contest the CAF Presidency against
Patrice Motsepe have all stepped down.
Elections are slated for March 12 and the Infantino-backed South African billionaire now has no challenger. pic.twitter.com/7A1COSNZKg
