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Billionaire's firstborn son poised to take over

Tlhopie to rule Downs should Patrice land CAF presidency

Tlhopie Motsepe during the Dr Patrice Motsepe CAF Manifesto launch at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Tlhopie Motsepe during the Dr Patrice Motsepe CAF Manifesto launch at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Image: Veli Nhlapo

Patrice Motsepe has disclosed that his son Tlhopie will become the new Mamelodi Sundowns president should the billionaire become the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president next month.

If Motsepe is voted in, he will be required to step aside from his club duties as, according to the CAF constitution, a president of the African football governing body is prohibited from running or owning a football club as this is viewed as a conflict of interest.

Motsepe said  at a press conference yesterday that Tlhopie would become the new Sundowns president and the vice-president would be Dr Rejoice Simelane, who is currently a director at the club. She's also a PSL board member. The pair would be assisted by Motsepe's wife Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.

Motsepe has three sons (Tlhopie, Kgosi and Kabelo) but he said according to his culture, the firstborn would be stepping into his shoes. “If I get elected CAF president, I will step aside. I've got to retire and my first-born (Tlhopie) will replace me as the new president. But we have to wait and see if I will become the CAF president or not."

But Motsepe said he would not be lost to Sundowns. “My heart will always be with Sundowns. The CAF rules say that a president cannot be associated with the club. I will become an ordinary Sundowns fan. My son, I am throwing you into the deep end," he  told Tlhopie.

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