Hayatou blasts lack of African support

CAF president and FIFA presidential election candidate Issa Hayatou is disappointed by the lack of support from influential African soccer stars.

Former World Footballer of the Year George Weah, Ghana's former captain Abedi Pele and Cameroon icon Roger Milla have all publicly declared support for Hayatou's rival Sepp Blatter, opining that the African game had been better served by the incumbent FIFA boss. But while conceding to them their democratic rights, Hayatou said he found their position shocking.

Speaking in Johannesburg as he prepares for tomorrow's CAF's awards night, Hayatou said: "To be honest I was shocked when I heard that. I am not pleased about the fact that they are not backing an African. But it is their democratic right."

The Cameroonian is comforted, though, by the fact that the former stars have no voting power. "What matters are those who will be voting," he said. "I have been asked by friends in Africa, Europe and outside Europe to go for it. This is a chance for an African to be FIFA president and I feel I am well qualified to make a success of it."