The upcoming funeral of Issa Hayatou, the former CAF president, is set to become a significant moment in the football world as it will bring together several key figures whose relationships have been fraught with tension.
Among those attending are Ahmad Ahmad, the former CAF president, Constant Omari, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
This will mark the first time Ahmad and Omari and Infantino cross paths since Ahmad’s dramatic ousting from his role in CAF, a fallout that left deep scars in their relationship.
Ahmad’s tenure as CAF president was marred by controversy, leading to his suspension by FIFA over ethics violations.
His removal was widely seen as influenced by Infantino, further straining their relationship.
Omari, who served as an interim CAF president, also shares a complex history with Infantino, having been a close ally but later finding himself distanced from FIFA’s inner circle.
Hayatou’s funeral is not just a gathering to mourn a football icon but also a potential flashpoint for unresolved tensions.
The world will be watching closely as these three powerful figures come face to face, perhaps setting the stage for new developments in African and global football.
The funeral of the longest-serving CAF President will take place in his hometown in Cameroon, Garoua, on Friday, August 16, 2024.
