Fecafoot president, who did not support Issa Hayatou’s last bid for the CAF presidency, has paid tribute to the latter, who died yesterday in Paris at the age of 78.
“A tribute to a great man, the forefather of modern African football: Issa Hayatou
A worthy and indomitable lion has left us. President Issa Hayatou took his leave this morning in Paris. With the class, sobriety and elegance that characterised him.
It is our duty to pay tribute to this monument to African football.
Above all, we have always cared for the former president of CAF, FECAFOOT and FIFA (interim): Issa Hayatou.
We therefore pay tribute to the memory of the builder of the modern CAF, a great African who, after the success of the Indomitable Lions in 1990, made it possible for Africa to win 5 places at the World Cup. President Issa Hayatou always knew how to defend the voice of Africa through his leadership, his interpersonal skills and his sense of compromise. We owe him a great deal.
He leaves us an immense legacy. A solid foundation on which to build an African football that is better represented on the international stage and respected for its true value and contribution.
The indomitable lion Issa Hayatou has done his part.
It is up to our generation to take up the challenge and go further.
President Issa Hayatou, THANK YOU.
May the Eternal One welcome you at his side as a worthy and indomitable lion of Cameroon and Africa.”
Samuel Eto’o Fils
