Former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou has passed away at the age of 77, just one day before his 78th birthday (Today is his birthday).

The Cameroonian sports administrator, who had a profound impact on African football, died after a prolonged illness.

Legacy as CAF President

Hayatou’s tenure as CAF president lasted an impressive 29 years, from 1988 until his ousting in 2017. Under his leadership, African football experienced significant growth, including the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations and a greater presence of African teams in the FIFA World Cup. His efforts were instrumental in bringing the World Cup to Africa for the first time, with South Africa hosting the tournament in 2010.

However, Hayatou’s leadership was not without controversy. His style was often criticized as autocratic, and he faced accusations of resisting change and being involved in corruption, particularly concerning the decision to award Qatar the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosting rights.

Role in FIFA and IOC

In addition to his role at CAF, Hayatou served as the acting president of FIFA from 2015 to 2016, stepping in after Sepp Blatter’s suspension amid corruption allegations. Hayatou was also a vice president of FIFA for 25 years and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 until 2016, when he became an honorary member.

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Despite facing reprimands from the IOC in 2011 over a bribery scandal, Hayatou maintained his innocence throughout his career. His influence extended beyond football, as he was deeply involved in sports administration globally and in his home country of Cameroon.

NFF PRESIDENT MOURNS

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has extended heartfelt condolences to the Cameroonian football community and the broader African football family following the death of former Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Alhaji Issa Hayatou.

In a statement, Gusau expressed deep sadness over the loss, highlighting Hayatou’s significant contributions to African football. “The NFF and the entire Nigerian football family are terribly saddened by the death of Alhaji Issa Hayatou. He was a great and much-loved leader of African football and did his best to leave African football greater than he met it,” Gusau said.

Gusau described Hayatou as a man of strong character and integrity. “We love him but God loves him more. We pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and also grant the Cameroonian, nay African football family the fortitude to bear the loss.”