Moroccan Amrani replaces Fahmy

Accra, Sept 23, GNA - Morocco's Hicham el Amrani has been appointed interim secretary general of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The appointment was confirmed after a meeting of CAF's Executive Committee in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday. The 31-year-old, Hicham el Amrani who joined CAF in 2009 replaces Mustapha Fahmy who is leaving CAF to join FIFA as the Director of Competitions. According to information monitored by GNA Sports from Accra, Amrani's appointment takes with effect from 1 October, marking a swift rise for the man who joined CAF in 2009. He left his job as the Asian Football Confederation's Marketing Manager to become CAF's assistant secretary general, working closely with Fahmy. CAF President Issa Hayatou praised the outgoing Fahmy's 28-year tenure as chief executive of the continental body. "This house will always be yours," Hayatou told the departing Egyptian Fahmy. An emotional Fahmy then broke down in tears and spoke of how "difficult" it had been for him to leave the Confederation. Fahmy said he will "continue to be a faithful servant of African football" while working for Fifa.