CAF Presidency: Issa Hayatou Seeks 7th Term

When his sixth term as CAF President expires next year, Issa Hayatou will be gunning for his seventh term in office.

Reports say Hayatou has begun underground campaign for his re-election at the helm of the African football body, which he has ruled since 1988.

The Cameroonian has named three influential personalities of African football to pilot his pre-campaign strategies across the continent before the general election scheduled for next year.

CameroonOnline.org revealed that Guinea’s, Almamy Kabélé Camara, member of CAF’s Executive Committee, is heading Hayatou’s campaign, to be assisted by Senegalese Badra Sène and Benin’s FA boss Anjorin Moucharafou.

The three men and other collaborators began two days ago meetings in Garoua, Northern Cameroon and hometown of Hayatou, meant to solicit support from Presidents of football federations on the continent.

Hayatou, 65, earlier announced he would not run for another term of office after the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, but retracted later on, saying his mission with CAF “is yet to be accomplished”.

Former Ivory Coast’s FA President, Jacque Anoma appears to be a potential strong rival of Hayatou due to the high esteem the Ivorian enjoys amongst his former peers. However, Anoma is yet to officially announce his intention to run for CAF’s Presidency.

Hayatou, born 9 August 1946 was a Cameroonian former athlete and sports executive. In 2002, he ran for the post of FIFA President but was defeated by current President, Sepp Blatter. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, IOC.

In November 2010 he was alleged by the BBC to have taken bribes in the 1990s regarding the awarding of World Cup television rights.

Hayatou is the fifth President of the Confederation of African Football. He was born in Garoua, Cameroon to a local Sultan, and became a middle distance runner and physical education teacher.

Hayatou had a successful career as an athlete, becoming a member of the Cameroonian national squads in both Basketball and Athletics, and held national record in the 400m and 800m races.