Long standing CAF President Issa Hayatou, has been defeated in the CAF Presidential election by Madagascar’s FA head, Ahmad Ahmad. Hayatou who had been at the helm of CAF for almost 3 decades, found himself out of favour, as Ahmad gained 34 votes compared to his compatriot’s 20.
Hayatou’s exit is widely viewed as the end of an era and many commentators believe Ahmad will usher in radical changes at CAF. Ahmad has promised administrative reform, financial transparency and a potential reorganisation of Caf competitions, among other things.
Ahmad becomes the 6th CAF president since it’s formation some 60 years ago. After a discreet playing and coaching career Ahmad Ahmad took the reins of the Madagascar football federation in 2003.
Influential Zimbabwean business mogul and now ZIFA and COSAFA President, Dr Phillip Chiyangwa, relatively new to football circles, is believed to have been the principle architect of Hayatou’s fall. He promised that he would pull every stop to ensure that Ahmad was victorious and true to his word, Ahmad made light work of his heavyweight opponent.