CAF election: Ahmad’s convincing message of better leadership awoke the desire for change among the executives who had long supported Issa Hayatou over the years!
Head of the Madagascar FA, Ahmad Ahmad has defeated incumbent Issa Hayatou to win the CAF presidential election held today March 16, 2017. After what seemed like a tussle, Ahmad defeated incumbent Issa Hayatou by 34 to 20 votes at the CAF election, held at the Africa Union Plenary Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ahmad, who had campaigned on administrative reform, financial transparency and a potential reorganization of CAF competitions, succeeded in passing his message across to CAF executives, many of whom have lost confidence in the incumbent president.
This brings to an end, the regime of Issa Hayatou who has ruled 29 years unopposed. Having lost his presidential seat, Issa Hayatou will also lose his FIFA position and his place on the ruling council of world football’s governing body.
Ahmad Ahmad was described as the toughest challenge for Hayatou, who was seeking re-election for an eight term at CAF presidency.
In the course of electioneering, Ahmad’s convincing message of change and better leadership seemingly awoke the desire for change among the executives who had long supported Issa Hayatou over the years. This tilted attention towards Ahmad, caused a seeming tension among loyalists of the defeated president, who was said to have foreseen a defeat.
With a new favorite in the house, there had been a seeming division among CAF executives concerning whom to vote for, leading to several uncertainties cum controversies. Ahmad’s victory goes to justify earlier reports from some sources, predicting a win for the Madagascar FA head with up to 30 votes.
Also at the CAF Congress, Zanzibar was unanimously accepted as a member of the Confederation of African Football. This according to reports, makes CAF one of the largest football confederation in the world with members.
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