Chiyangwa follows the money, ditches Ahmad Ahmad?

PICTURES of Zimbabwean businessman and Cosafa head Philip Chiyangwa endorsing the candidature of Patrice Motsepe for the Confederation of African Football (Caf) presidency seem to suggest he has officially joined the South African's campaign team.

Is Chiyangwa switching allegiances?

In 2017 Chiyangwa surprised all and sundry in the African football landscape by emerging as the kingmaker and campaign manager in Ahmad Ahmad's bid to overthrow long serving Caf president Issa Hayatou.

When no one gave Ahmad a chance to beat the Cameroonian strongman Hayatou, the maverick Chiyangwa helped the relatively unknown challenger to the helm of African football.

Fast forward four years later, Chiyangwa appears to be backing a different horse altogether South African billionaire Motsepe.

In any case Ahmad is now a dead horse whose football administration career was brought to a halt by Fifa.

Ahmad was banned in November 2020 when Fifa ethics judges found he "breached his duty of loyalty, offered gifts and other benefits, mismanaged funds, and abused his position as the Caf president.

He was elected in 2017 and was seeking a second four-year term leading African soccer as a Fifa vice-president.

Back to the Chiyangwa and Motsepe alliance.

Even South African politicians are taking note of Chiyangwa's influence in the African football landscape and the importance of having him in Motsepe's corner.

"With the support and co-ordination of Cosafa president Philip Chiyangwa, the Caf presidency candidature of Patrice Motsepe will be successful. Philip Chiyangwa's efforts defeated Issa Hayatou who had made it impossible to contest for Caf president. Best wishes," tweeted Floyd Shivambu.

Shivambu is a high ranking member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a South African political party.