Hayatou challenger secures vital endorsement

fiifi anaman

February 22, 2017 1:17 PM

After receiving the support of COSAFA, Ahmad Ahmad has received the backing of a powerful West African FA

The Nigerian FA has thrown its support behind Ahmad Ahmad, the man seeking to unseat long serving CAF President Issa Hayatou.

The Madagascar FA Chief, who will challenge Hayatou's 29-year reign in an election on March 15, had earlier received the support of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA).

READ MORE: Issa Hayatou

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chief Amaju Pinnick confirmed his country's support for Ahmad, telling the BBC that CAF needs a "new generation" of leadership and that the 57-year-old Malagasy is "courageous" for stepping forward to challenge Hayatou.

Pinnick, who became the head of Nigerian football in September 2014, said while Ahmad has his support, he would want Hayatou to "listen" more should he win what would be an eighth term.

"You have to listen to a larger audience instead of just a tiny cabal, you have to know it goes beyond you," Pinnick said.

READ MORE:CAF

"I will definitely work with him if he wins but my prayer is we need a bridge builder and that person is Ahmad."

Hayatou meanwhile, has said that he respects Ahmad's decision to contest the elections.

READ MORE: Infantino

The 70-year-old, who has been in power since 1988, said on Saturday, according to Kickoff: "If he (Ahmad) decided to be candidate it means he thinks he has some chances."

The Cameroonian won his current term in 2013 and said it would be his last, only to change his mind after CAF changed its statutes barring officials from serving past the age of 70 in April 2015.

fiifi anaman