Issa Hayatou, the former CAF president, has died at 77 in Paris. Learn more about his life and legacy in African football.
Issa Hayatou, a legendary figure in African football died at the age of 78 on Thursday in Paris after a prolonged period of ill health.
Hailing from Cameroon, the ex-footballer born in 1946 was a dominant presence who made an enduring impact on the game.
He held the position of president at the Confederation of African Football for close to thirty years until March 2017.
The continent experienced a remarkable growth and global acknowledgment of sports during this phase.
During his tenure at CAF, the Africa Cup of Nations experienced growth in size and scope, FIFA World Cup participation for African teams increased significantly, and football infrastructure throughout the continent was fortified.
After Sepp Blatter was suspended by the world football governing body, Hayatou stepped in as interim president of FIFA from October 2015 to February 2016.
Despite the turbulence faced by the organization, he was able to navigate it through a critical time with his trademark composure and leadership.
Numerous messages conveying sympathies have been received from all over the world after his demise. Plenty of individuals acknowledged the significant contribution he made in empowering African football to become a formidable presence at an international level.
