As Hayatou’s 29 year era ends
By George aluo, Addis Ababa
Madagascar Football Association chief, Ahmad won his quest for the Confederation of African Football president, ending Issa Hayatou’s 29-year rule.
Ahmad shocked the football world by winning Hayatou in a clear margin of 34 to 20 votes in the election, held in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa on Thursday.
The result meant a change in leadership for the first time since Cameroonian Hayatou took charge in 1988.
Ahmad, who appeared emotional, becomes only the seventh CAF president in the body’s 60-year history.
The 57-year-old, who goes by a single name, told BBC Sport afterwards: “I can’t talk at this time. Only one thing – I thank God, I thank my team.
Nigeria Football Federation President , Amaju Pinnick, emerged one of the kingmakers at the elections witnessed by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, Secretary General, Fatma Samoura and declared open by Ethiopian President, Mulatu Teshome.
Pinnick, crushed his opponent Anjorin Moucharafou, who tagged him ‘small boy’ by 32-17 votes to become the third Nigerian ever in the CAF Executive Committee.
Also elected into the CAF elite club are Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) who thumped incumbent Mohamed Raouraoua of Algeria 41-7; Musa Bility of Liberia who defeated Amadou Diakite of Mali 26-22; Souleman Waberi of. Djibouti who got 20 votes to defeat Magda Shams el Din, Juneidi Tilmo and Moses. Magogo.
Danny Jordaan of South Africa and Eduardo da Costa of Angola were elected from the southern zone, while Sierra Leonean. Isha Johansen got 25 votes to pick the only female slot, ahead of. Lydia Nsekera of Burundi who had only 12.
The departure of Hayatou is a huge change for African football and the 70-year-old will also lose his Fifa position and his place on the ruling council of world football’s governing body.
He had been challenged for the Caf presidency only twice before and both times won with landslide victories.
This time he won only 20 votes, ending his hopes of winning an eighth term in office that would have seen his presidency extend for more than three decades in total.
“His excellency Issa Hayatou has done a lot for African football (but) it is time for him to step back,” said George Afriyie, vice president of the Ghana Football Association.
Liberia Football Association President Musa Bility added: “Africa has made an emphatic decision that we are ready for change.”