Goliath's slayer who betrayed a continent

Issa Hayatou had established himself as CAF’s strongman over a 29-year period at the helm of the continental soccer body. The Cameroonian made the position his own, but towards the sunset of his reign, there were growing murmurs of discontent.

Football was prepared for a new makeover, and the COSAFA region was at hand to kick-start the process. The southern African region block backed former Malagasy politician, Ahmad Ahmad for the top post. Hayatou was defeated in 2017, as a continent had not grown apprehensive over his leadership style. He was seen as unflinchingly biased towards Francophone countries, with the east and south hardly getting a look in. Ahmad was presented as an impeccable individual with glowing recommendation from his home country after a lengthy career in the civil service.