Former Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou has passed away at the age of 77. The news was confirmed by a close associate who served with him during his tenure. According to reports from Cameroon Concord, Hayatou died on Thursday, August 8, 2024, in Paris.
Hayatou’s leadership in African football spanned nearly three decades, from 1988 until March 2017, making him the longest-serving leader in CAF’s history. He was succeeded by Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad in 2017. In addition to his role at CAF, Hayatou briefly served as interim President of FIFA from October 2015 to February 2016, following Sepp Blatter’s suspension. During this time, he oversaw the FIFA elections that brought current President Gianni Infantino into office.
Under Hayatou’s leadership, CAF expanded the number of teams participating in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 8 to 16 in 1992, and later to 24 teams in 2019. This expansion increased the tournament’s competitiveness and provided more opportunities for African nations to showcase their talents.
Hayatou was instrumental in increasing African representation in FIFA, securing more slots for African teams in the FIFA World Cup. The number of African teams in the World Cup increased from two in 1982 to five from 1998 onwards, giving African football greater recognition on the global stage. His presidency also saw substantial financial growth for CAF, thanks to lucrative sponsorship deals and television rights agreements. These partnerships brought more revenue to African football and helped professionalize the sport on the continent.
One of Hayatou’s most significant achievements was bringing major international tournaments to Africa, most notably the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. This event was a milestone in African football history and demonstrated the continent’s capability to host world-class events.
Despite his contributions, Hayatou’s tenure was also marked by controversies, including accusations of corruption and financial mismanagement, which eventually led to scrutiny of CAF’s operations and governance. His legacy is a mixed one, marked by significant achievements that elevated African football, but also by controversies that cast a shadow over his long tenure.
Africa has lost an influential leader who devoted his life to advancing football on the continent. His legacy will continue to inspire football enthusiasts and stakeholders to develop the sport across Africa.
