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5 things you did not know about the new CAF President

Here are 5 things about the new CAF President you did not know after he won against Issa Hayatou who had been president for 29 years.

In one of the most fascinating elections yet, Ahmad Ahmad recorded a resounding victory over incumbent Issa Hayatou to become new president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

After delegates representing the various African football associations cast their votes, the outsider polled 34 votes to Hayatou’s 20 to emerge victor.

The result means Hayatou’s 29-year reign as CAF President has been ended, but who is the underdog that ensured this major electoral upset?

Pulse.com.gh brings you five things you did not know about him.

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Ahmad has been FA president of Madagascar since 2003

Newly elected CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad is not completely new to African football as many think. He may have been the underdog going into the elections, but he is definitely no novice to the continent’s football politicking.

Ahmad currently heads the football association in his native Madagascar. He has served as Madagascar FA president for 14 years, having occupied the position since 2003. In that period he led the Madagascan national team to – a national record – 3 place finish in the COSAFA Cup in 2015.

And although Madagascar is yet to either qualify for the World Cup or Africa Cup of Nation, Ahmad was at the helm when the nation recorded its biggest home win in history, after defeating Egypt 1-0 in the qualifying rounds of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.

He was once a footballer

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Another intriguing revelation you are yet to find out is the fact that new CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad, actually played active football at some stage in his life. Coming from a country where football is on the periphery of the locals, Ahmad did not really get the pushing to grow his then fledgling football career.

However, the newly-elected CAF president has had history with the game ever since he was young. He could not ultimately become a professional football player, but he played at colts level that is why you can describe him as “once a footballer”.

Former minister and senate of Madagascar

Perhaps, the first time many people heard about Ahmad Ahmad was when he announced his intentions to contest the CAF elections. However, after his triumph over incumbent Issa Hayatou, a lot more has been left aloof about his life and profile.

One thing worth mentioning is the fact that the new CAF chief once served as a Sports minister in his native before switching into full-time football administration.

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The Malagasy was a Senator of the State – a portfolio that adds to his already glowing, amidst unknown, CV. Ahmad Ahmad is currently the vice-Senate of Madagascar, having also served on the Executive Committee of CAF as rep for the southern zone.

He also took a role in coaching

Surprising? Well, the new CAF boss is not lost at all about his football. Having made a name for himself in football administration, many have few knowledge about his involvement in the active part of the game.

We gathered that at some point, Ahmad Ahmad took a role a coaching junior teams in his native Madagascar. And though his impact was not telling enough, his knowledge in coaching is, at least, not dry. Former player, and now a former coach: The new CAF president certainly has it all.

Ahmad is the 7 president of CAF

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It is now public knowledge that Issa Hayatou served for 29 years as CAF president. However how many people know that his successor is actually only the seventh president of the confederation since it was set up?

In fact, the newly-elected Ahmad Ahmad becomes CAF’s first president since 1988, but he is still behind six other men.

He comes after Abdel Aziz Abdallah Salem (1957-1958), Abdel Aziz Moustafa (1958-1968), Abdel Halim Muhammad (1968-1972), Yidnekatchew Tessema (1972-1987), Abdel Halim Muhammad (1987-1988) and Issa Hayatou (1988-2017).

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