Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss, Amaju Pinnick, has openly criticised Issa Hayatou’s bid to run for CAF president for the eight time.
Hayatou, 70, world’s longest-serving football confederation head, has clung unto power since 1988.
The Cameroonian is standing once again for Africa’s top football administrative job and faces competition from less-fancied Madagascar FA boss, Ahmad Ahmad.
Pinnick, who himself is vying for a CAF executive committee position, has unexpectedly thrown his weight behind Hayatou’s rival.
The NFF boss in an interview with BBC on Tuesday described Ahmad as “courageous” in coming forward to challenge Hayatou.
Pinnick said CAF needs a “new generation” of leadership, following the change at the top of the world governing body FIFA.
He cited “post election differences between Gianni [Infantino, the new Fifa president] and Issa Hayatou which are irreconcilable”.
However, Pinnick acknowledged that Hayatou could still win – but said if he did, the veteran Cameroonian would need to be open to different influences.
“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.”
The election is slated for March 16, 2017.
