CAIRO
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has thrown its weight behind Sepp Blatter's bid for reelection as president of global football regulator FIFA.
"Africa decided to totally support Sepp Blatter for a new term at the helm of FIFA," CAF chief Issa Hayatou said Tuesday on the sidelines of the pan-African football body's general assembly in Cairo.
"His [Blatter's] actions in favor of Africa speak for him. To us, he is still the man of the moment. Dear Sepp, Africa is comfortable having you. Africa stays with you!" he added.
Hayatou said all 54 of CAF's member federations were expected to vote in Blatter's favor in FIFA presidential polls slated for May 29 in Zurich.
"Over time, you have become not only a faithful partner, but, equally, an attentive friend of Africa," he said.
"In Africa, we acknowledge our friends and offer them that which they deserve," he added.
In the upcoming election, Blatter – who has run FIFA since 1998 – will face off against FIFA Vice-President for Asia Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan; former FIFA Deputy Secretary-General Jerome Champagne; and Dutch Football Federation President Michael van Praag, among others.
