Issa Hayatou: President Tinubu pays tribute to ‘legendary football administrator’

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sympathized with the family of the recently deceased former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Issa Hayatou.

Issa Hayatou, who would have celebrated his 78th birthday on August 9, was a prominent figure in the history of African football, leaving behind a legacy that has shaped the sport across the continent.

President Tinubu, in a statement released by his Special Adviser Chief Ajuri Ngelale, hailed Hayatou as a “legendary football administrator” on Friday.

“The President describes the passing of the legendary football administrator as a huge loss, underlining his contributions to the development of the sport in Africa and beyond.

“The President prays for the repose of the soul of the departed and strength to his family at this difficult time,” the statement read.

Issa Hayatou was the CAF President between 1988-2017, a period during which African football experienced unprecedented growth and gained global recognition.

Under his leadership, the Africa Cup of Nations was expanded, African representation in the FIFA World Cup increased, and significant strides were made in strengthening football infrastructure across Africa.

However, Hayatou’s tenure was not without controversy, as his leadership was marred by allegations of corruption. Despite these challenges, his contributions to African football remain undeniable, and his impact on the sport will be remembered for generations.

In addition to his role at CAF, Hayatou briefly served as the interim President of FIFA from October 2015 to February 2016. During this time, he played a crucial role in stabilizing the global football organization during a period of significant upheaval.