Ahmed Yahya: "I am not Ahmad's plan B or the Fifa candidate"
Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya.
FFRIM
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
4 min
Mauritanian Ahmed Yahya announced his candidacy for the presidency of the African Football Confederation (CAF) on November 9, 2020. He answered RFI's questions on Tuesday, November 17.
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“
I have carefully assessed the current situation of CAF and decided to be a candidate to change things.
CAF must be respected, it must have qualified staff and transparent management
, ”he said on the Radio Foot Internationale program.
"
I am a candidate, it is my conviction, I can bring better days to CAF,
" says the one who is part of the current CAF Executive Committee and who assumes it.
Find new sources of income for CAF
Without wishing to dwell on the results of the Ahmad presidency, Yahya wants to "
make football grow
" on the African continent and even dreams of an African team in the final of the World Cup.
He also wants to develop women's football and expects structured clubs.
“
We have to work to find new sources of income for CAF.
If I am elected, I will work to increase support for the federations.
Thanks to new ideas, I multiplied by 20 the income of my Federation.
I do not promise to multiply CAF income by 20!
But I will make sure to increase them significantly,
”he says.
Elected president of the FFRIM in 2011 at only 35 years old, Ahmed Yahya then embarked on a vast construction site for the Mauritanian round ball.
Upon arrival, the national A team was in 190th place in the ranking of nations.
In 2013, Mauritania qualified for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2014).
After failing to qualify for CHAN 2016, the Mourabitounes participate in CHAN 2018 and especially in their first African Cup of Nations in 2019.
Support from Uganda, Mali and Djibouti
“
I have the support of my Federation but also of Uganda, Mali and Djibouti.
Other federations have already indicated their support to me.
The campaign has only just begun,
”announces Ahmed Yahya, who is said to be close to Fifa.
“
Fifa should not support a candidate.
Infantino came to inaugurate projects financed by Fifa in Mauritania as part of Goal-Fifa.
I have a good relationship with Fifa, but we have to think for ourselves for the sake of African football.
I am not Ahmad's plan B or the Fifa candidate
, ”says Ahmed Yahya.
About a CAN every four years strongly desired by Fifa, Ahmed Yahya first wants to consult the whole continent before making a decision.
“
We have to see if it's worth changing the frequency of the ADC.
A change can only be possible if it benefits African football
”.
Three candidates from the same region in the presidential race Is it a problem for Ahmed Yahya?
“
No I don't think so.
There should not be a question of rivalry between regions.
We have to judge each other's program first of all.
I am a man of action and I carry an inclusive project for Africa.
This is what drives me,
”he concludes.
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