The former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, has passed away at the age of 77.

The football administrator, who played a pivotal role in African football for several decades, passed away in Paris on Thursday, August 8, 2024, a day before his 78th birthday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his condolences in a post on Instagram on Thursday evening, describing the late Hayatou as a “passionate sports fan.”

He wrote: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former CAF President, former FIFA President ad interim, FIFA Vice President, and FIFA Council Member, Issa Hayatou.”

“A dedicated and passionate sports enthusiast, he devoted his life to sports administration.

“On behalf of FIFA, I extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, former colleagues, and all who knew him. May he rest in peace.”

Hayatou served as the head of African football from 1988 to 2017 and held the position of interim FIFA President from 2015 to 2016 during the suspension of Joseph Sepp Blatter amidst a corruption scandal.

Notably, it was under his leadership that South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010, marking a historic moment as the first-ever African nation to host the prestigious tournament.