Ahmad willing to collaborate with African stars to boost football

The Malagasy, who unseated long reining Issa Hayatou in the election for CAF presidency last month, wants for African stars to help develop football in the region.

Ahmad has revealed the names of key African players he is willing to collaborate with. Among the personalities are Ghana legend Abedi Pele, the African Cup of Nations all-time top scorer Samuel Eto’o, the Ivorian superstar Didier Drogba and the two-time Coppa Italia top-scorer Patrick M’Boma.

“CAF will organize a meeting soon with representatives of these African stars to discuss their future collaboration with the Confederation of African Football,” said Ahmad.

Broadcasting rights to be reviewed

CAF’s President also discussed the broadcasting right contract made during Hayatou’s era with the French media conglomerate Lagardère, assuring that the agreement needs to be reviewed.

On January, Egyptian Competitions Authorities proved that the former CAF’s President, Issa Hayatou, violated article 8 of the Protection of Competition Act by giving 12-year broadcasting rights to Lagardère alone without posing it to other companies.

African Nations Cup dates may change

Ahmad also revealed that he is open with the idea of changing the dates of the African Nations Cup from summer to winter.

European clubs usually complain about the dates of the competition, due to the impact it has on the domestic club calendar. During Hayatou’s era, these complaints fell on deaf ears, however, Ahmad is open to the possibility of changing the tournament to northern hemisphere summer.