As Issa Hayatou celebrates 26 years at the helm of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), he expressed his desire to see an African nation lift the trophy at the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.
Reflecting on the progress made in African football development during his tenure, Hayatou emphasized his hopes for more success on the international stage. He stated his belief that African teams have the potential to reach the semi-finals or even the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Hayatou, who was first elected as CAF president on March 10, 1988, recalled the close vote that secured his initial victory over Godfried Ekoue of Togo. Since then, he has overseen the growth and development of African football, culminating in the participation of five African nations—Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria—in the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.
