Issa Hayatou‘s 29-year reign as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president got ended by Malagasy rival, Ahmad Ahmad today, March 16, 2017.
It’s indeed a victory for African football, governed by the former Cameroonian athlete since 1988.
READ: Issa Hayatou ousted as CAF President after 29-year reign
Hayatou previously served as FIFA’s acting president – following Sepp Blatter’s dismissal – until February 26, 2016 when Gianni Infantino was elected to the position.
In 2002, he ran for FIFA president but got beaten by Blatter who was the eighth president from 1998 to 2015.
Hayatou’s exit from the top of African football has now been met with more cheer from people as seen below.
I was alive when Hayatou lost an election
I was alive when “Issa Hayatou” lost an election.@Gidi_Traffic
— Odeyele ayodeji (@Ayodeji_13) March 16, 2017
This everybody’s dream.
How old were you in 1988 when he became CAF president
Issa Hayatou became CAF President in 1988. He was voted out today after 29 years. How old were you in 1988?
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) March 16, 2017
Many were not even born when he started running things.
Before you answer that, Messi was this age when Hayatou became CAF boss
I never thought it would happen in my lifetime, Issa Hayatou is gone!! Yerrr, Messi was 9 months old when the guy became Caf prez
— Mninawa Ntloko (@ntlokom) March 16, 2017
Celebrating the fall of Issa Hayatou like:
Taking notes of the dance moves after being invited by Kojo Amankwah at Taboo club to celebrate the fall of Issa Hayatou @robertmarawa pic.twitter.com/XDmOrSjgv4
— DK Mudau (@DeeKee_M) March 16, 2017
He compared himself to Blatter?
Issa Hayatou,”Blatter was 78 when he left FIFA but nobody talked about that. Since I am 70 and African it is a big deal.”
— Omna Taddele (@omna_tg) March 16, 2017
What a wawwu!
Some people prayed for Hayatou’s dismissal
I pray Issa Hayatou loses today #CAFElections
— Alabo Roland (@Roland_speaks) March 16, 2017
I have seen different ages of Issa Hayatou, 70,71, 78. For me, his age is ‘too old to continue’.
— tega onojaife (@tegasupreme) March 16, 2017
@BBCFarayi After supervising the affairs of African Football ⚽ for 29 years… Issa Hayatou sure need a deserving break. Now is the time!
— Joe Ejiofor (@joeejio4) March 16, 2017
Issa Hayatou has put in a valiant shift for football in #Africa. At 78, after 8 terms & in v poor health, he shd go pic.twitter.com/1NWZmui7TB
— RightsAfrica (@chairmanNHRC) March 15, 2017
Her prayer as answered.
Free at last
The God’s have finally spoken the autocrat Issa Hayatou has been dethroned thank https://t.co/w86xQJreM3 at last free at last
— Brian Mashamaite (@Mr_Mashamaite) March 16, 2017
It was inevitable that Arsenal and Wenger would enter this discussion
Sepp Blatter – OUT
Issa Hayatou – OUTWho next?
You’re smart. #FanAntics pic.twitter.com/0r6q8PRX2t
— Fan Antics (@FanAnticsFC) March 16, 2017
Yahya Jemmeh…gone!
Issa Hayatou….gone!
When for Arsene Wenger?
When for Mr.Robert Mugabe too?— Prince Gida (@smkgida47) March 16, 2017
With the fall of Football Mugabes Hayatou Valcke Blatter Platini Warner, I expect Wenger to fall in June #HayatouHasFallen
— Mfana kaMashila (@Siyanda_Nino) March 16, 2017
All of Arsene Wenger’s contemporaries are gone; Alex Ferguson,Sepp Blatter even Issa Hayatou. What is he waiting for?
— Kingsley Oyero I (@koyero) March 16, 2017
29 years is a long time so yes, it’s time to sleep
….and now he has all the time in the world to sleep…#CAFElections #NewEra#HayatouHasFallen pic.twitter.com/V1brUXYB6s
— Dumisani Sibanda (@iamdumisibanda) March 16, 2017
Africans can sleep easy too like
Africans sleeping in peace tonight in an #issahayatou free continent pic.twitter.com/PYw9Qq18Ra
— African (@ali_naka) March 16, 2017
Would be crazy if we get a Steve Harvey moment out of this though
All of u rejoicing about #HayatouHasFallen should better wait for his announcement that election was rigged& AU sending troops to CAF Hq
LOL— Toyin AJET (@toyinajet) March 16, 2017