CAF: Ahmad ends Hayatou’s 29-year reign

CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad

Issa Hayatou’s 29-year grip in African football ended on Thursday when Caf voted for Malagasy football administrator Ahmad Ahmad as the confederation’s new president.

Ahmad defeated Hayatou by 34 votes to 20, thus bringing to an end Hayatou’s reign, which began when he replaced Abdel Halim Mohammad in 1988.

The surprise result, which was announced Caf’s 39th General Assembly in Addis Ababa, prompted shock and celebration across social media, with many fans, pundits and observers celebrating the departure of the 70-year-old, who has been accused of various controversies during his long stint at the helm.

However, the Cameroonian has overseen significant improvement in Caf’s standing within the global football community and considerable growth within the continental game.

Ahmad’s emergence has been described as the way forward for African football.

“Issa Hayatou has done a lot for African football (but) it is time for him to step back,” said George Afriyie, vice-president of the Ghana Football Association.

Also, Liberia Football Association president Musa Bility said: “Africa has made an emphatic decision that we are ready for change.”

To Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the change has become inevitable.

“Hayatou is a colossus who has bestrode African football for decades but it’s a new dawn, all should be happy”.

“We’re Africans and Africans never forget their elders. An elder has been defeated today, but he’s still an elder”.

“The world has moved on, we really need energy. And the truth is Issa Hayatou is almost 70. There’s only so much really that he can do”.

“The world, technologically and in terms of the way you see things, has changed. Speaking with Ahmad, I found that he understood those things,” Akinwunmi said.

Also on Thursday, NFF President, Mr Amaju Pinnick, was elected into the executive committee of CAF.

Pinnick emerged winner of the Zone three seat elections into the CAF executive committee after defeating Anjorin Moucharafou of Benin Republic.

Pinnick got 32 votes to be elected into office while the Beninise polled 17.

With this development, Pinnick thus becomes the third Nigerian after the late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo and Dr Amos Adamu to serve on the executive committee of CAF.