Jacques Anouma and Augustin Senghor, two of the four candidates vying for the Confederation of African Football presidency, have announced their withdrawal from the race.
READ ALSO: https://www.aclsports.com/caf-elections-patrice-motsepe-cross-to-bear/
The former Ivory Coast football federation chief made his decision public during a live interview with state broadcaster, RTI, on Friday, citing the need for unity to revamp the continent’s football.
Senghor, who heads Senegal FA, said “it is time to come together for the interest of African football.”
It is not clear what motivated the pullouts but multiple reports claim FIFA president Gianni Infantino brokered a deal with the four aspirants, picking South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe to head CAF, Senghor as first vice president, Mauritanian FA boss Ahmed Yahya as second vice president, with Anouma as special adviser.
The March 12 election in Rabat, Morocco could resemble a dead rubber or might not hold altogether.
Anouma also revealed that the candidates will be holding a meeting on Saturday, March 6 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, to harmonize their respective projects.
