The COSAFA football family would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Cameroonian Football Federation and the family of Mr Issa Hayatou following his passing on Thursday at the age of 77.
Mr Hayatou was the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for 29 years from 1988-2017 and did much to grow the Beautiful Game on the continent. He also served as acting FIFA president from 2015-2016.
A true sports lover and skilled administrator, Mr Hayatou served as an International Olympic Committee member from 2001-2016, after which he became an honorary member.
“Issa Hayatou made a huge contribution to African sports, but it is in football where he left his biggest legacy. He led CAF through often difficult times and circumstances, but always with the belief that African football deserved greater respect from the rest of the world,” COSAFA President Artur de Almeida e Silva said.
“His wise council helped many administrators along the way and his almost three decades of service as CAF President will always be remembered in the history of the organisation.
“We send our condolences to his family and all at the Cameroonian Football Federation.”
