FIFA Presidency: CAF backs Asia’s Sheikh Salman

The Confederation of African Football at a meeting in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, voted to support Asia’s FIFA presidency candidate Sheikh Salman.

The body’s vote for the Asian is a huge statement to South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale who failed to impress heads of the various associations.

The choice could prove decisive to the outcome of the election.

With 54 affiliated countries, CAF has the largest reservoir of votes for the February 26 election in Zurich.

CAF decided to backs Sheikh Salman for the FIFA presidential elections

— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 5, 2016

CAF in one of its meetings last week gave a considerable weight in support of Joseph Blatter who is exiting.

Salman’s vote was no surprise as he was highly favoured.

Ahead of today’s election, CAF President Issa Hayatou played down claims that the body was supporting a particular candidate.

The news sparked reactions on social media.

#Africa has 54 of the total 209 #FIFA votes, so CAF decision to back Sheikh Salman today is huge.

— Farayi Mungazi (@BBCFarayi) February 5, 2016

As predicted by many… CAF will endorse the Sheikh for the FIFA Presidency.

— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) February 5, 2016

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale has reacted to CAF’s decision saying he is staying in the Fifa presidential race despite their backing of Sheikh Salman.

“We will be going to Zurich as candidates. And I will go there as one candidate sent by my own association as well as the others. And I will be there on the 26. My final position, my fundamental position will be made clear, in Zurich because that’s where I’ve been sent. And Therefor I want to say that Although I congratulate the process of what happened here. It is not the FIFA final process.” Tokyo Sexwale said.