Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-Issa Hayatou has lost his position as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president to Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad in elections held in Ethiopia.
Ahmad polled 34 votes to Hayatou’s 20 bringing to an end the latter’s 29 years in power after the Cameroonian ascended to the position 1988.
According to a BBC report Ahmad becomes the seventh CAF president in the body’s 60 year history.
“The result was greeted by cheers at the Caf congress as Ahmad was carried on the shoulders of jubilant supporters to the podium after the result was announced”, according to the report.
The 57-year-old said: “When you try to do something, you mean that you can do it. If I can’t do it, I never stand.”
The 70-year-old Hayatou is also set to lose his Fifa position and his place on the ruling council of world football’s governing body.
Previously he has only been challenged for the Caf presidency only twice and both times won with landslide victories.
Some quoted leaders of African football commended Hayatou for all he has done but received his exit with joy.
“His excellency Issa Hayatou has done a lot for African football (but) it is time for him to step back,” said George Afriyie, vice president of the Ghana Football Association.
“Africa has made an emphatic decision that we are ready for change,” said Liberian Football Association President Musa Bility.
Reports from Ethiopia say that Hayatou refused to entertain questions from the media after his loss and quickly exited the arena accompanied by his aides.
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