Kora New Conducts an Exclusive Interview with Ahmad Ahmad, Former CAF President
Kora New conducted an exclusive interview with Ahmad Ahmad, the former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to reveal special details about his tenure and his views on organizing the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco this year.
Ahmad Ahmad served as CAF president from 2017 to 2021. Before that, he was the head of the Madagascar Football Federation and also served as his country’s Minister of Sports.
Challenges Faced During His CAF Presidency
During his interview with Kora New, Ahmad Ahmad spoke about the difficulties he encountered while leading CAF, saying:
“It is natural when you are part of a large organization like CAF. What a time it was! I was there to establish a new approach or system in such an important institution. Challenges are always present, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be managed. This was especially true when I replaced the previous president.”
Plans to Increase Financial Rewards in CAF Competitions
“We increased many aspects during our tenure—CAF employees’ salaries, prize money for all competitions, financial support for all member associations and regional federations, and even the number of African teams qualifying for the 2018 World Cup to five.”
Will He Run Again for CAF Presidency?
“How can I change my stance? I always respect the rules in life. The current regulations mean I am no longer in the football world. However, if it were possible, I could run again. But this chapter is closed for me. I have managed international football, and now it’s time to turn the page. I am currently involved in politics and serving my country, and that is my main focus now.”
Key Achievements as CAF President
1. CAF Headquarters Agreement – Strengthened CAF’s legal framework and reinforced its international status.
2. Improving Stadium Security & Safety – Introduced new standards to ensure the safety of fans and players.
3. CAF Awards – Revamped the event and outsourced its management to a professional private sector entity in Nigeria.
4. Expansion of Competitions – Increased the number of teams and matches to enhance competition.
5. Youth Qualification System – Restructured youth qualifiers at the regional federation level to boost opportunities for emerging teams.
One of the key achievements was supporting African businesses, increasing CAF’s dealings with African companies from just 5% to 50%. Additionally, CAF’s revenue share in France was raised to 47%. Efforts were also made to ensure fair representation of all African nations within CAF, ensuring every country had a role in major decision-making.
Thoughts on the Previous CAF Executive Committee
*”This is not my concern. I only did what I could. On the contrary, I urge journalists to investigate all matters and prevent misinformation from misleading the public. The media must report the truth and provide the audience with a realistic picture instead of allowing false information to spread, as it can be dangerous.
I say this because it was my responsibility. I did my best during my term based on my studies and experience. After that, it is up to the media to compare facts and inform the public about what really happened. Did things change? What is actually going on?”*
He also mentioned that various challenges hindered their progress, such as disputes with the Egyptian government and COMESA regarding rights management. “Our team completely refused to give up our rights. Then, the Egyptian court made a decision, but we continued working within the set framework. It was also necessary to recover assets that ‘Lagardère’ had not utilized, particularly to shorten the duration of the contract with them. We tried to adjust many things that needed improvement, but we simply didn’t have enough time.”
Relations with National Teams & Scheduling of CAF Competitions
“Yes, there were challenges at times, but we always aimed to be inclusive. We never made decisions without consulting stakeholders at the grassroots level. We made sure to involve clubs in decision-making and prioritized working within committees before implementing any decision. That was my approach with national federations, and there were no insurmountable obstacles.”
Thoughts on Morocco Hosting the Next AFCON
*”It is a great move in every aspect—facilities, financial resources, and fan engagement. Morocco is a fantastic country.
In terms of football security? It is a great nation that has heavily invested in the sport. Today, when I look at it, I recall journalists who used to ask many questions when we organized events in Morocco. Now, no one says anything.
Shouldn’t we acknowledge that Morocco has invested so much in African football? This is the moment to thank them and support Morocco—all stakeh