The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Alhaji Issa Hayatou, has promised to watch live the 2014 World Cup qualifier between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Nigeria’s Super Eagles at Moi Kasarani on June 5.
A top Kenya FA official disclosed that the African boss will arrive in Nairobi on June 3, two days to the decisive match.
“Hayatou has confirmed that he will attend the Kenya v Nigeria match. He (Hayatou) will jet into Nairobi on June 3. Hayatou has a good relationship with Kenya FA President Sam Nyamweya and wants to be part of the crowd at Kasarani on Wednesday (June 5),” the source, who sought anonymity, added.
Hayatou has been the President of Caf since 1987. In 2002, he contested for Fifa presidency but was defeated by current President Sepp Blatter. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
President of Caf for over two decades, Hayatou has overseen particularly successful FIFA World Cup appearances by Senegal, Nigeria, and Cameroon, and pushed for African places in the finals to increase from two to five, with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa seeing the hosts garner an automatic sixth spot for an African team.
Wednesday’s match is crucial for both teams as the winner will put themselve in a better position of reaching the World Cup showcase slated for Brazil.
Kenya managed a 1-1 draw against the African champions in the first leg match played in Calabar and will be hoping to better the performance despite missing key players – goalkeeper Arnold Origi and striker Dennis Oliech – through suspension.
