Tributes Flow as Football Legend Issa Hayatou Passes Away

Issa Hayatou, a giant in the world of African football, has sadly passed away in Paris, just a day before his 78th birthday. Born in Cameroon in 1946, Hayatou’s influence in football spanned decades, making a lasting impact on the sport.

He was the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for an impressive 29 years from 1988 until his ousting in 2017. Under his leadership, African football grew significantly, with major events like the Africa Cup of Nations getting bigger and more teams from the continent participating in the FIFA World Cup.

In addition to his role in CAF, Hayatou briefly held the position of acting president of FIFA in 2015 after Sepp Blatter was suspended. His calm demeanor helped navigate through a tricky time for the organization.

News of his death has brought a wave of condolences from all around the globe. FIFA President Gianni Infantino took to social media to express his sadness, acknowledging Hayatou’s dedication to sports administration.

Before stepping into football administration, Hayatou was also a successful athlete in track and field as well as basketball. He leaves behind a legacy that transformed African football into a powerful force recognized worldwide.

Sadly, Hayatou had been battling health issues for some time, and his death comes as a significant loss to the sports community that admired him for his vision and commitment to football.