Former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, passed away at the age of 78 on Thursday in Paris after a prolonged illness.
The Cameroonian football figurehead, who had been in declining health for several years, had recently retreated to his hometown of Garoua in northern Cameroon, distancing himself from the sport he had once dominated.
Hayatou’s death comes after rumors of his passing surfaced earlier in March, which he managed to overcome, showcasing the resilience that defined his career. However, this time, his battle with illness proved too formidable.
Issa Hayatou’s legacy is marked by his nearly three-decade leadership of CAF, from 1988 until 2017, when he was succeeded by Ahmad Ahmad after losing the CAF presidential election.
Issa Hayatou was a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Hayatou’s contributions to African and global football were significant, although his attempt to become FIFA president in 2002 was unsuccessful. His legacy includes being appointed President of the National Football Academy in Cameroon in 2017 by President Paul Biya.