Yaoundé, Cameroon – Former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, is dead.
The Cameroonian died in Paris, France, on Thursday, according to media reports.
Mr. Hayatou, 77, led CAF from 1988 to 2017.
Current CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, said in a statement that he is saddened by the passing of the former CAF President.
He said: “I express my deepest personal condolences and the condolences of the 54 CAF Member Associations, on the passing of CAF former President, President Issa Hayatou, to his family, the Fédération Camerounaise de Football, its President Samuel Eto’o and the people of Cameroon.
“CAF and African Football will forever be grateful to President Hayatou for his enormous and far-reaching contributions, over many years to the development and growth of football in Africa. He will forever live in our hearts and minds.”
CAF’s media outlet, CAF Online, said Dr. Motsepe has requested that the CAF flag and the flags of all CAF Member Associations fly at half-mast for five days, until 13 August 2024.
“May President Issa Hayatou’s Soul Rest in Peace,” the statement said.
