Hayatou to head CAF till 2017

[Kofi Addae, GNA Special Correspondent in Libreville, Gabon]

Libreville, Feb. 13, GNA – Cameroonian Issa Hayatou will remain President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) till at least 2017.

Hayatou, 65, whose current tenure runs out in 2013 received a unanimous endorsement to remain at post by delegates at the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly held in Libreville, Gabon at the week-end.

The session, attended by 51 of the 53 National Associations with Malawi and Lesotho, the notable absentees, approved the continued stay at the helm of the continent’s soccer governing body by the Cameroonian.

The endorsement by the members were pronounced by the Zonal Unions during the presentation of their reports to the Assembly, which is the supreme and legislative organ of CAF.

The six zonal unions, who constitute the membership of the Confederation cited the transformation in the development of the game under the leadership of Hayatou, who has led CAF since 1988, as the underlining word for their confidence in him.

The mandate extension will see the President of CAFhead the body for 29-years when he completes his term in 2017.

Humbled by the huge endorsement, Hayatou said: “I have not achieved this alone. We have worked together and are looking forward to achieve more for African Football.”

The resolution served the climax of the session, which also saw the admission of South Sudan into the African football family, taking the CAF membership to 54 National Associations.

Ghana was represented by Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi and General Secretary, Emmanuel Gyimah.