Issa Hayatou: A legacy of leadership in African and global football passes away at 78
Issa Hayatou, the former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), passed away in Paris, France, on Thursday, August 8, 2024, according to multiple reports.
A towering figure in African and global football, the 78-year-old Cameroonian left an indelible mark on the sport.
Hayatou helmed the CAF from 1988 to 2017, overseeing nearly three decades of football development across the continent.
His leadership was characterized by his firm and unwavering dedication to advancing African football on the global stage.
Before his tenure at CAF, Hayatou served as the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) from 1986 to 1988.
His influence extended beyond Africa, as he briefly assumed the role of interim President of FIFA from 2016 to 2017, during a critical period in the organization’s history.
Hayatou’s passing marks the loss of a key architect in football, not just for Africa but for the global community as well.
His contributions to the sport will be remembered for generations.
