Delegates cheered and pumped their fists in the plenary hall after the announcement of the result, which heralded the departure of the last of the old generation of leaders in world football. “What made me very proud today, proud and at the same time happy, is the victory of democracy in Africa … African football showed today that we respect democracy,” Ahmad told a press conference. “Africa has made an emphatic decision that we are ready for change,” said Liberian Football Association President Musa Bility. Seyi Akinwunmi, vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation, called Hayatou a “colossus who has bestrode African football for decades” before adding: “It’s a new dawn, all should be happy. Before the vote Hayatou called for delegates to vote for “unity”.

Source: Manila Times March 17, 2017 10:30 UTC