9 August 2024 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has offered some words of comfort and sympathy to the family of former Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou after his passing on Thursday (8 August 2024)
The Cameroonian passed away at the age of 77 and was at the helm of CAF for 29 years between 1988 and 2017. He also served as acting president of FIFA between 2015 and 2016.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said he would be remembered as a no-nonsense leader who insisted on respect for African Football.
“When we started, Africa only had one qualification spot for the FIFA World Cup. When he left office, we had five teams qualifying for the World Cup,” he said.
“He had a long service and dedication to African football. He certainly made a huge contribution to the growth of the game on the continent. He was always supportive of South Africa. He was the one who gave us the Africa Cup of Nations after Kenya failed to get ready in time in 1996. He asked us within a few months, to take over and run the AFCON.
“He was confident that South Africa would deliver, and we did. And again in 2013 when Libya had a problem, he said, ‘no, just give the AFCON to South Africa’. After we came to apply for it, he had supreme confidence in SAFA and South Africa. We as the South African Football Association would like to convey our sincerest condolences, deepest sympathy and heartfelt sorrow to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
May his soul rest in peace.
