Kazura backs Hayatou presidency

FERWAFA boss, brig. Gen. John Bosco Kazura has confirmed his support to the continuation of Issa Hayatou’s reign as president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf). “I’m supporting Hayatou because he has worked hard to improve the football standards in Africa. Since he is unopposed there is nobody else that I would support,” Kazura said. Rwanda’s support for Hayatou comes at a time when the country was chosen to host their maiden 16th African youth Championship set for January 18-February 1 in Kigali. Cameroonian Hayatou will be re-elected president of the African Football Confederation (Caf) February, next year, after standing unopposed. No other nominations were received for Hayatou’s post. The 62-year-old will be officially confirmed in the job for another four years at Caf’s Congress in Lagos, Nigeria in February 2009. Hayatou has been in charge of the Cairo-based organisation since 1988 and has built up a powerful support base. The former athlete challenged Sepp Blatter for the presidency of Fifa six years ago, but suffered a hefty defeat. During his 20 years in charge, he has overseen the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations from eight teams to 16 and the introduction of prize money to the Champions League and Confederation Cup. However, his critics say he has not done enough to tackle cheating in age-limit competitions and allegations of referee bribery. Like Kazura, many African Federation bosses didn’t bother to stand against Hayatou because the latter had brought the 2010 World Cup to Africa hence supporting the latter to ensure a very successful World Cup on the continent. Ends

Lifestyle

Kazura backs Hayatou presidency