Issa Hayatou, the esteemed former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has died at the age of 77. The news was confirmed by a close associate who worked closely with Hayatou throughout his tenure, signaling the end of an era for African football.
Hayatou, who passed away in Paris on Thursday, was a monumental figure in African football, leading CAF for an unprecedented 29 years until his departure in March 2017. His long-standing presidency was marked by significant milestones, including the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations and the increase in the number of African teams participating in the World Cup.
In addition to his role at CAF, Hayatou also served as FIFA’s interim President from October 2015 to February 2016, stepping in following Sepp Blatter’s suspension. During this period, Hayatou oversaw the FIFA elections, which culminated in the election of Gianni Infantino as the new FIFA President.
Hayatou’s leadership contributed to notable advancements in football infrastructure across Africa, leaving a lasting legacy on the continent’s footballing landscape.
