African football chief ousted after nearly 30 years

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - In a surprise upset, the long-serving president of African football’s governing body was unseated Thursday by a challenger from the island of Madagascar.

Cameroon’s Issa Hayatou, 70, was defeated by Ahmed Ahmed in a secret ballot of Confederation of African Football (CAF) member states during its meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Ahmed won 34 votes, versus Hayatou’s 20.

The meeting is being attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, representatives of member states, renowned footballers, and CAF officials.

Hayatou was the group’s president for 29 years, and had fought off a number of challengers.

In remarks at the meeting, Infantino pledged support for the growth of football in Africa.

He said Africa should have a bigger presence in international football, adding he would fight for Africa to be represented by 10 nations in the World Cup.

Ahmed was officially supported by the 14 members of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations. He had promised to give more power to the federations.

He had served as minister of sport and minister of fisheries in Madagascar.