Cameroonian-born former and honorary president of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Issa Hayatou is dead. He died  on the eve of his 78th birthday in the Paris France after an illness.

The celebrated African football administrator, board chairperson of the Cameroon National Football Academy, ANAFOOT was designated Honorary President at CAF on Thursday, December 10, 2020 during a CAF Ordinary General Assembly.

The late sports man had a wealth of experiences after serving CAF for over thirty years from 1987 – 2017 when Malagasy, Ahmad Ahmad was elected.

Issa Hayatou proved to be the right man at the right place during his three-decade reign at the helm of the African football watchdog, CAF

The renowned football personality in African and international football,  Cameroonian born, Issa Hayatou who hailed from Garoua was saluted on several occasions by  the CAF Executives for his development of African football

Issa Hayatou temporarily served as FIFA’s President in 2015 when Sepp Blatter faced the legal bench on counts of corruption and unethical practices.

He died as  the board chair of the National Football Academy, ANAFOOT, created in 2014 by a Presidential decree to ensure the growth of professional football in Cameroon.

The late football developer  served at ANAFOOT alongside Carl Enow Ngachu, pioneer head coach of the national women’s football team, now the General Manager of the ANAFOOT.

Issa Hayatou goes down history as the longest serving president of CAF,  with a ground breaking record of 30 years at the helm of the football house.

Benly Anchunda