Danny Jordaan – Issa Hayatou played a big role in the success of South African football

Hayatou, who passed away after a long illness at the age of 77 in Paris last week, was laid to rest in his hometown of Garoua in Cameroon last night.

Jordaan, who started working with Hayatou towards the readmission of SA into international football in the early 90s, recalls his contribution.

"I think Issa Hayatou has made his contribution to African football. He was a strong leader and as you say, in 1996 he gave us the African Cup of Nations that AFCON was awarded to Kenya, Kenya did not build the stadiums and it was clear that they were not going to be ready. Under the leadership of Issa, they took the decision to award the 1996 African Cup of Nations to South Africa," Jordaan said.

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Hayatou was the longest-serving CAF President, having been in power for 29 years from 1988 to 2017.

It was during this period that SA returned to intentional football, hosted and won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, and successfully bid for and hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Jordaan says these are all highlights that can’t be ignored.

"And then also we must remember that when it comes to the World Cup itself, Issa Hayatou was actually the chairman of the FIFA organising committee. We had two organising committees, a local organising committee and a FIFA organising committee, Issa Hayatou was the chairman of the FIFA World Cup organising committee. So, he's made his contribution and may his soul rest in peace."