The passing of Issa Hayatou on Thursday has marked a turning point in the history of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Hayatou, a Cameroonian who led CAF for nearly three decades, is being hailed as a steadfast and pan-African leader who fiercely defended the continent’s interests.
Hayatou’s journey to the top of African football began in 1974 when, at just 28 years old, he became the secretary general of Cameroon’s football federation. He would go on to serve as the president of the Cameroonian federation before being elected to CAF’s executive committee in 1986. Within two years, he had become the president of CAF, a position he would hold until 2017.
During his tenure, Hayatou worked to transform CAF, increasing the number of competitions, boosting revenues, and strengthening the organization’s credibility and relations with FIFA and other confederations. He was instrumental in the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations from 8 to 16 teams, as well as the introduction of women’s, under-17, and under-20 versions of the tournament.
Hayatou also played a key role in increasing African representation at the World Cup, growing the continent’s allotment from just two teams in 1990 to five guaranteed participants when the tournament expanded in 1998. He was particularly proud when the World Cup came to Africa for the first time, with South Africa hosting the event in 2010.
However, Hayatou’s tenure was not without controversy. He was implicated in several scandals, including the collapse of the ISL firm that held World Cup broadcasting rights, for which he received a reprimand from the International Olympic Committee. More serious was the allegation that he had accepted a $1.5 million bribe from Qatar to support its successful 2022 World Cup bid, although he denied the charges.
Hayatou’s exit from power in 2017 marked the beginning of a new era for CAF, with his successor, Ahmad, becoming embroiled in his own scandals and eventually being banned by FIFA for ethical breaches. This has led some who had opposed Hayatou to reflect on his legacy and the positive impact he had on African football.
As the continent mourns the loss of this influential figure, Hayatou’s impact on the game in Africa is undeniable. While his tenure was not without controversy, he is widely recognized as a leader who fought tirelessly to promote the interests of African football on the global stage.
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