Issa Hayatou, a key figure in African football, has died on Thursday, August 8, 2024, just a day shy of his 78th birthday.

The Cameroonian administrator led the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for nearly three decades, from 1988 to 2017.

CAF has mourned the loss of a “great leader” who dedicated his life to developing the sport in Africa. Tributes have poured in from across the continent and the world, recognising Hayatou’s immense contribution to the sport.

Hayatou was instrumental in elevating African football on the global stage. Under his leadership, the number of African teams qualifying for the FIFA World Cup increased from two to five. His crowning achievement was securing the 2010 World Cup for South Africa, making history as the first African nation to host the tournament.

Beyond CAF, Hayatou served as FIFA’s senior vice president for several terms and even stepped in as interim president during a turbulent period. His influence extended to the International Olympic Committee, where he held an honorary membership.

While his tenure was not without controversy, his legacy as a pioneer of African football is undeniable.