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Tokyo Sexwale remains committed to FIFA presidential race

Tokyo Sexwale
Image: Tokyo Sexwale remains in the FIFA presidential race

Tokyo Sexwale is totally committed to his FIFA presidential campaign and has denied reports that he is coming under pressure to withdraw from the race.

Sexwale said: "I remain committed to being a candidate. The decision of what happens going forward, I leave in the hands of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). They also have a say in my candidacy and I leave it in their able hands."

The South African businessman has been trying to position himself as Africa's candidate, but he has found it difficult to convince CAF members to back him.

Sexwale thought he was close to winning the governing body's endorsement, but it is likely to announce in Rwanda on Friday that its 54 votes will be going to Sheikh Salman.

Sexwale has been in Qatar this weekend but he is returning to Johannesburg to meet the South African Football Association (SAFA) on Tuesday to update it on the progress of his campaign.

There have been reports in the South African media that SAFA is worried about his "lacklustre" campaign but these reports have been dismissed by Sexwale and SAFA chief executive Dennis Mumble.

Mumble said: "We simply want to meet him to receive an update. We want to ask him about the state of his campaign and ask him if there is anything more we can do. There are no obstacles which are insurmountable. It is important that Africa has an African candidate."

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Sexwale's manifesto includes commitments to make FIFA more transparent. He wants a fairer distribution of World Cup slots and executive committee seats and he wants to bring in outside business leaders to advise FIFA on good governance.

The FIFA presidential election is in Zurich on February 26. The other candidates are Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, Gianni Infantino, Jerome Champagne and Prince Ali of Jordan.

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