Distinguished former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou has been laid to rest in his home nation of Cameroon. Hayatou, who passed away on August 8, 2024, in Paris was well known for his transformative impact on African football. Hayatou died at the age of 77. His leadership was instrumental in bringing the 2010 FIFA World Cup to South Africa, marking the first time the tournament was held on the African continent.
A special reception and prayer service was held on Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport, where a large crowd gathered to honor the legacy of Hayatou. Notable figures such as Ahmad Ahmad who is the current president of CAF, Constant Omari, a longstanding friend of Mr. Hayatou, Samuel Eto’o who keeps praising the leadership of Issa Hayatou, and other prominent personalities from the football world attended the event to pay their respects.
Born on August 9, 1946, in Garoua, Cameroon, Hayatou came from a prominent family. His father was the ‘Lamido’ or Sovereign of the region, and his elder brother, Sadou, served as Cameroon’s prime minister in the early 1990s.
Before transitioning to soccer administration, Hayatou was a former international athlete and basketball player. His tenure as CAF president saw a visible growth in Africa’s football. The Continent’s World Cup slots ‘grew’ from two in 1990 to five in 1998, thanks to his incessant ‘fight’.
Described as a pragmatic leader, Hayatou famously stated:
“I’m not a revolutionary. I do not make changes just for changes sake.”
His dedication to the advancement of African football has left an enduring mark on the sport. The entire world and African Football will miss him.
