Patrice Motsepe’s Caf presidency under pressure after Afcon U-turn as Eto’o waits in wings

Patrice Motsepe’s potential rivals for the Caf presidency are trying to gain Gianni Infantino’s approval should Motsepe step down early. Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

Patrice Motsepe’s leadership of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) is under growing pressure, with officials from across the continent warning they have lost trust in the president and rivals including Samuel Eto’o positioning themselves potentially to replace him.

A return to a biennial Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) cycle is expected to be confirmed at Caf’s executive committee meeting in Abidjan next month after Motsepe surprisingly announced the U-turn last week – 10 months after the decision was taken to hold it every four years. That move is said to have wide support within Africa, but several sources have said there has been a weakening of trust in Caf’s leadership, with some questioning Motsepe’s management.