Former CAF President Ahmad Ahmad and his colleague Constant Omari have arrived in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to attend the funeral of the late Issa Hayatou. Hayatou, who was also a former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly impacted African and global football.
The burial is scheduled to take place on Friday at the Laïndé cemetery in Garoua, a city in northern Cameroon.
As per the funeral arrangements, Hayatou’s remains will be transported from Yaoundé to Garoua, with the body set to arrive at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport on Thursday evening.
From there, the final leg of the journey will see his remains reaching Garoua by Friday morning, where they are expected to arrive at 8:30 a.m. local time.
Ahmad Ahmad, who served as CAF President after Hayatou’s long tenure, and Constant Omari, who held various leadership roles within CAF, including acting president, are among the prominent figures who have made their way to Cameroon to pay their respects.
Their arrival in Yaoundé marks the beginning of the final farewell to one of African football’s most influential leaders.
Hayatou’s death has elicited a wave of condolences from the global football community, with many reflecting on his significant contributions to the sport over the decades.
He led CAF for nearly three decades, from 1988 to 2017, during which time African football saw unprecedented growth and development.
His leadership not only shaped the structure of football on the continent but also ensured that Africa became a significant player on the global stage.
The funeral in Garoua is expected to be a somber occasion, attended by a host of dignitaries, football officials, and government representatives, all of whom will gather to honor Hayatou’s memory.
The event will be an opportunity for the football community and the people of Cameroon to celebrate his life and contributions.
Hayatou’s journey from Yaoundé to his final resting place in Garoua is symbolic of his life’s work—connecting the many parts of the continent through the unifying power of football.
As the world says goodbye to a towering figure in the sport, Ahmad Ahmad and Constant Omari’s presence in Cameroon underscores the deep respect and admiration Hayatou commanded throughout his career.
The former CAF president’s burial will be a moment of reflection not only for African football but also for the global sports community, which has lost one of its most dedicated and influential leaders.
