Long-time President of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Issa Hayatou has lost his eighth term re-election bid to Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad.
Hayatou lost by 10 votes to the President of the Madagascar Football Association.
Ahmad, who had campaigned on administrative reform, financial transparency and a potential reorganization of Caf competitions, polled 34 votes in the elections held at the AU Conference Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Hayatou could only garner 20 votes.
Before Thursday’s elections, the two contenders addressed the 54 delegates.
After their oral addresses and prior to voting, incumbent Hayatou told the delegates he would return to the Hall either as a re-elected president or an outgone president and it is the latter he is now.
He has been President of the continent’s football governing body for the past 29 years.
The Cameroonian is only the sixth president of the Confederation, having served as Senior FIFA Vice President and Acting FIFA President.
Ahmad will be a new face to African football and is expected to ring the changes to ensure development of the sport on the continent.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana