By Andrew Warshaw
March 1 – The regional factions lining up behind the two rival camps in this month’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidential election are taking shape with the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) endorsing Issa Hayatou for an unprecedented eighth term of office.
With most of the 14-strong Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) likely to support Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad, reportedly with the covert backing of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, CECAFA’s 12 members have made it known that they will vote for 71-year-old Hayatou to remain at the helm.
CECAFA, Africa’s oldest regional football organisation, apparently passed a resolution at the beginning of February in Gabon stating their preference for Hayatou.
“CECAFA MEMBERS unanimously express and reiterate their support for the candidature of President Issa Hayatou and urge members in other zones to rally behind our President,” read a statement from CECAFA’s Kenyan Secretary General Nicholas Musonye.
”CECAFA recognises the close relationship and support that has existed between CAF and CECAFA since the establishment of CAF. We recognize too the achievements that CAF has made under Dr Hayatou leadership and the unquestionable ability to do more for the development of African football.
”We pledge our commitment and loyalty to Hayatou’s leadership and CAF’s ideology to drive the African agenda is the cornerstone that has seen CAF grow and hold the continent together.”
Nothing, however, is clearcut in African football politics – even within individual countries. Kenyan FA president Nick Mwendwa was quoted as saying no consensus has been reached despite Musonye’s comments.
“There has been not been any CECAFA meeting to decide on which candidate to support,” Mwendwa said. “We are in the campaign season and as a federation we are open to all candidates to come and talk to us.”
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