The Cameroonian administrator led the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for nearly three decades, from 1988 to 2017.

CAF has mourned the loss of a “great leader” who dedicated his life to developing the sport in Africa. Tributes have poured in from across the continent and the world, recognising Hayatou’s immense contribution to the sport.

Hayatou was instrumental in elevating African football on the global stage. Under his leadership, the number of African teams qualifying for the FIFA World Cup increased from two to five. His crowning achievement was securing the 2010 World Cup for South Africa, making history as the first African nation to host the tournament.

Beyond CAF, Hayatou served as FIFA’s senior vice president for several terms and even stepped in as interim president during a turbulent period