The former president of CAF, Issa Hayatou, has died at 77, marking the end of an era in African football leadership.

Former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, passed away on Thursday – a day before turning 78 years old. The passing has left the African football community in mourning.

For a time period spanning over 29 years, from 1988 to 2017, Hayatou, who was a sports administrator hailing from Cameroon and had acted as the President of CAF during that aforementioned duration. Additionally , he held office for one year in an interim capacity as FIFA’s President between the periods of 2015 -16 .

Being a lifelong sports administrator, Hayatou served as an International Olympic Committee member starting from 2001 until 2016. Afterwards, he was appointed as an honorary member despite his brother being the prime minister of Cameroon.

Hayatou faced disciplinary action by the IOC in 2011 due to his involvement in a purported corruption scheme at FIFA.

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Following BBC Panorama’s allegations that he had received approximately $20,000 from the now-defunct sports marketing company ISL in 1995, Hayatou was reprimanded. Despite denying any corruption on his part and stating that the money was a gift for his confederation.

During his leadership of African football, progress was made in the sport on the continent despite accusations against Hayatou for being authoritarian and hesitant to implement new ideas.

In 2002, Hayatou ran against Blatter for the FIFA presidency but suffered a significant defeat as numerous African nations withdrew their support during the election opposed to his Swiss opponent.

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has expressed his condolences to both the Cameroonian football community and African football as a whole.

Alhaji Issa Hayatou’s demise has brought profound grief to the NFF and all members of Nigeria’s soccer community. He was a highly esteemed figure in African football, who constantly strived towards improving its condition during his leadership tenure. His enduring commitment to leave behind an even more illustrious legacy for African football is deeply cherished.”

According to him, Alhaji Hayatou possessed unwavering strength of character and unimpeachable integrity. Although his absence is felt deeply by those who knew him well, he has now gone home to be with God. It is hoped that the African football community will find comfort in this difficult time and move forward together while cherishinghis memory.”