President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick is supporting South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidency with election due in March 2021.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) announced Motsepe’s candidacy on Monday.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan made the announcement with South African sports minister Nathi Mthethwa also attending.
Pinnick, who hinted last month that he might contest the presidency, confirmed he is not a contender and would back Motsepe instead.
The NFF president and his Sierra Leonean counterpart Isha Johansen were in Johannesburg for the announcement.
Motsepe owns Pretoria-based Mamelodi Sundowns, who have been among the top 10 clubs in Africa for some years and completed a South African treble last season.
Pinnick had supported Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad in 2017 to end the 29-year reign of Cameroonian Issa Hayatou.
Pinnick was kicked out of Ahmad’s cabinet in July 2019. Reports said the NFF boss was standing up to Ahmad who is now seeking a second term.
