LIBREVILLE: Issa Hayatou has been handed a vote of confidence to stay on as president of the African football confederation until 2017.

CAF’s General Assembly, held in Libreville, Gabon, on African Nations Cup Final weekend, ignored the ticking-off handed Hayatou by the International Olympic Committee last December over an issue concerning a payment from former FIFA marketing partner ISL.

Hayatou’s current term of office is not due to end until next year but he was effectively given the all-clear to stand unopposed in Morocco next year by the six regional federations of CAF. The Cameroonian has been president of CAF since 1998.

Iya Mohammed, president of the Union of Football Associations for Central Africa, said: “Hayatou has offered a new platform for African football with innovative competitions such as the African Nations Championship. So, at our meeting on the eve of the General Assembly, we unanimously resolved to renew our trust in his leadership for another term.”

Jammeh Bojang, general secretary of Zone West A said: “We pledge our continuous support for Hayatou to lead African football once again. The game has seen many changes in development and we are solidly behind his continued stay in office.”

Similar voices of support came from the Council for Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA), the Council for East and Central Football Associations (CECAFA), the North African Football Union (UNAF) and Zone West B.

Hayatou said: “I have not achieved this alone. We worked together and we are looking forward to achieve more for African football.”

Africa, under Hayatou’s leadership, welcomed the World Cup finals for the first time when South Africa played host in 2010. However, the general standard and lack of progress of the continent’s national teams came in for criticism because only one of Africa’s six finalists – Ghana – progressed beyond the group stage.