Hayatou must go! – Africans reveal discontent on 29-year-old tenure
Many Africans are backing a challenge to the long-serving President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou.
Like Mugabe, CAF's Issa Hayatou & PSL's Irvin Khoza believe that the perfect folks to take their legacies 4ward ar themselves. @robertmarawa
— Concourt failed Makate (@Spiwo) February 23, 2017
Hayatou is standing for an eighth successive term of office, but faces opposition from Ahmad Ahmad, the head of Madagascar’s FA.
Only ONE of the 23 Cameroon players in #AFCON2017 was alive when Issa Hayatou assumed power on 10 March 1988.Change @SakinaKamwendo #AmLive
— Wandile Mtana (@wandile32) February 20, 2017
Many have already begun to voice their opinions on their preferred candidate.
Ahmad was unanimously supported by The Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA).
[LISTEN] COSAFA endorsed CAF executive member Ahmad as Presidential candidate to challenge incumbent Hayatouhttps://t.co/yDLKljDafd pic.twitter.com/SxidP8f2WB
— SABC SPORT INFO HUB (@SABC_INFO_HUB) February 14, 2017
President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has also stated his support for Ahmad.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick throws weight behind Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad ahead of CAF presidential election https://t.co/NkTOtaEPe6 pic.twitter.com/SKxDfOrhFp
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) February 22, 2017
He told BBC that CAF needs a “new generation” of leadership, following the change at the top of the world governing body FIFA.
He called Ahmad “courageous” for coming forward to challenge Hayatou and said the election will be “a defining moment for African football”.
Staying away from our tie-wearing friends, other Africans, especially of the younger generation, are also telling that they are not with the big man from Cameroon.
No one says Hayatou is corrupt all we are clamoring for is a change in #caf; we need new face and fresh ideas…
— Olatunji Olajide (@Iam_Jaidi) February 25, 2017
The elections are to be held March.