NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau mourns death of longest serving CAF President

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has extended heartfelt condolences to the Cameroonian football community and the broader African football family following the death of the longest serving former Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Alhaji Issa Hayatou. Hayatou passed away on Thursday in Paris after a prolonged illness, just a day before his 78th birthday.

In a statement on Thursday, August 8, 2024, Gusau expressed deep sadness over the loss, highlighting Hayatou’s significant contributions to African football. “The NFF and the entire Nigerian football family are terribly saddened by the death of Alhaji Issa Hayatou. He was a great and much-loved leader of African football and did his best to leave African football greater than he met it,” Gusau said.

Gusau described Hayatou as a man of strong character and integrity. “We love him but God loves him more. We pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and also grant the Cameroonian, nay African football family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Hayatou, a former 400m and 800m champion from Cameroon, served as CAF President from March 10, 1988, to March 16, 2017. He was elected to the position during the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, succeeding Dr. Abdelhalim Mohamed, who had served as interim president after the death of Dr. Ydnekatchew Tessema.

Known for his tall, energetic, and visionary approach, Hayatou was also a member of the International Olympic Committee and served as Acting President of FIFA for four months and 18 days from October 8, 2015, to February 26, 2016, following Sepp Blatter’s suspension.

Hayatou’s leadership and dedication to the sport have left a lasting impact on African and global football.