CAF presidency: NFF rejects Issa Hayatou

The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) is backing a challenge to the long- serving
President of the Confederation of African Football Issa Hayatou, BBC Sport reports .

Issa Hayatou is standing for an eighth successive term of office, but faces opposition from Ahmad Ahmad, the
head of Madagascar’s FA .

NFF president Amaju Pinnick told the BBC the election will be “ a defining moment for African football ”.

He said Ahmad was “ courageous ” in coming forward to challenge Mr. Issa
Hayatou.

Pinnick said CAF needs a “ new
generation ” of leadership, following the change at the top of the world governing body FIFA .


He cited “ post election differences between Gianni (Infantino , the new
FIFA president ) and Issa Hayatou which are irreconcilable” . Infantino will be in Johannesburg later on Tuesday for a gathering of football federation leaders from across the continent .

He is then due to visit Zimbabwe at the invitation of the head of the southern
African confederation , Cosafa – which also backs Ahmad .

Madagascar FA chief Ahmad Ahmad is a member of CAF’s Executive Committee,
Pinnick acknowledged that Hayatou could still win – but said if he did, the veteran Cameroonian would need to be
open to different influences.

“ You have to listen to a larger audience instead of just a tiny cabal, you have to know it goes beyond you , ” Pinnick said.
“ I will definitely work with him if he wins but my prayer is we need a bridge builder and that person is Ahmad .”