CAF

Issa Hayatou, a towering figure in African football, died in Paris on Thursday after a prolonged illness, just one day before his 78th birthday. Born in Cameroon in 1946, Hayatou made a lasting impact on the sport during his nearly three-decade tenure as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), a role he held until March 2017. Under his leadership, African football saw remarkable growth and global recognition, including the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations, increased African representation in the FIFA World Cup, and enhanced football infrastructure across the continent. Hayatou also served as interim president of FIFA from October 2015 to February 2016, stepping in after Sepp Blatter’s suspension. Despite the turmoil, he guided the organization with his renowned composure and authority. Tributes have flooded in worldwide, highlighting his pivotal role in elevating African football to a prominent position on the global stage.