Patrice Motsepe has lined up all of African football behind Gianni Infantino ahead of the FIFA president's next election campaign. Addressing delegates from all 54 African federations, the Confederation of African Football president announced that a unanimous resolution had been taken to back the incumbent. He told the gathering that Africa would stand by Infantino when the vote arrives. Then he called on everyone present to rise and applaud the man himself. The delegates obliged, and Infantino received a standing ovation that stretched on. The endorsement hands Infantino a secure bloc representing more than a quarter of FIFA's member federations at the earliest stage of the race. African votes have long carried real weight in FIFA elections, and now that weight is publicly committed.