Football legend Samuel Eto’o Fils has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Issa Hayatou, the former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), describing him as the “forerunner of modern African football.”
Issa Hayatou, a Cameroonian-born football administrator and former basketball player, died in Paris on Thursday, just one day before his 78th birthday.
He led CAF for nearly three decades (1988 to 2017) and also served as the interim President of FIFA from 2015 to 2016.
Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year, who achieved significant milestones in his career during Hayatou’s tenure at CAF, paid tribute to him, calling him “a worthy Indomitable Lion.”
“Evoking the memory of this African football monument imposes on us, out of respect for him, a duty of sincerity,” Eto’o wrote on Facebook.
“Beyond everything, we have always cared for the former president of CAF, FECAFOOT, and FIFA (interim): Issa Hayatou, HUGE RESPECT. We salute the memory of the builder of modern CAF, a great African who allowed Africa, after the feat of the Indomitable Lions in 1990, to secure five places at the Football World Cup.”
While Hayatou’s tenure at CAF was not without controversy, he is widely credited, including by Eto’o, as the architect of modern African football.
His leadership saw Africa host the FIFA World Cup for the first time in South Africa in 2010.
“He leaves us an immeasurable legacy, a solid foundation to build African football that is better represented internationally and respected for its fair values and contributions,” Eto’o added.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also paid tribute to Hayatou in an Instagram post.
“Saddened to hear of the passing of former CAF president, former FIFA president ad interim, FIFA vice president, and FIFA council member, Issa Hayatou,” Infantino wrote.
“A passionate sports fan, he dedicated his life to sports administration. On behalf of FIFA, condolences go to his family, friends, former colleagues, and all who knew him. Rest in peace.”
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