One day before turning 78 years old, Issa Hayatou passed away in Paris on Thursday following a protracted illness.

The former football player, who was born in Cameroon in 1946, was a huge character who had a lasting impact on the game.

Up until March 2017, he presided over the Confederation of African Football for over thirty years.

It was a time when the sport on the continent expanded significantly and became well-known worldwide.

During his tenure at CAF, the continent’s football infrastructure was strengthened, more African teams were invited to compete in the FIFA World Cup, and the Africa Cup of Nations was expanded.

From October 2015 to February 2016, Hayatou also served as FIFA’s acting president, filling in for Sepp Blatter following his suspension.

It was a troubling period for CAF, but Hayatou steered the organization through a crucial period with his characteristic calm and authority.

Condolences have poured in from around the globe following news of his passing, with many acknowledging the important role he played in transforming African football into a force to be reckon with on the world stage.

“CAF and African football will forever be indebted to President Hayatou for his immense contribution, over many years, to the development of football in Africa,” said current CAF president Patrice Motsepe.

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Former Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o, who is currently the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, described Hayatou a “trailblazer of modern African football”.