Nigeria backing Hayatou’s challenger for CAF presidency, says Pinnick

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will support Ahmad Ahmad’s bid to head the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Amaju Pinnick, NFF president, has said.

Ahmad will be challenging incumbent president, Issa Hayatou, for the position.

Pinnick told BBC that the election will be “a defining moment for African football” and that Ahmad was “courageous” in coming forward to challenge Hayatou.

“A new generation of leadership is needed following the change at the top of the world governing body FIFA,” he said.

Pinnick revealed that post-election differences between Gianni Infantino, the new FIFA president, and Hayatou, were irreconcilable.

The NFF president, however, said Nigeria would work with Hayatou if he wins.

“You have to listen to a larger audience instead of just a tiny cabal, you have to know it goes beyond you,” Pinnick said.

“I will definitely work with him if he wins but my prayer is we need a bridge builder and that person is Ahmad.”

Hayatou is standing for an 8th successive term in office but faces fierce opposition from Madagascar FA president Ahmad Ahmad.

The CAF election is billed for March 16, 2017, in Ethiopia.