Accra (Greater Accra) 8 March '99

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Alhaji Issa Hayatou has expressed optimism about the development of football in Africa. He said the level of play exhibited throughout the just ended 11th African Youth soccer championships, especially in the final match, was very encouraging and splendid. "What we saw yesterday, shows that the game is progressing both in skills and in techniques, which is an indication that football is gaining heights on the continent", he said. Alhaji Hayatou, who was speaking to newsmen at a pre- departure interview at the Kotoka International Airport today, acknowledged that not all member countries have attained that level. " It is the ambition of CAF to increase the number of tournaments, improve infrastructure and organise coaching courses in order to improve the game", the CAF boss said. He said teams like Angola and Malawi, who are now mastering the game, would benefit tremendously due to the exposure they have had at Ghana '99. Alhaji Hayatou said he was highly impressed with the organisation of the championship in general and especially with the turn out at the Accra Sports stadium during the final match, which was electrifying. He said it is the hope of CAF that an African country would lift the World Cup in the near future. At the airport to see him off were, Alhaji M.N.D. Jawula, chairman of the Ghana Football Association and officials of the National Sports Council.