One of Africa's greatest-ever footballers, Abedi Pele, has promised to support Ismail Bhamjee in his candidature for the Confederation of African Football presidency.

"He is the only one who has come out and said he believes he can win it," said Pele in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"With the character he has shown we have to support him."

Pele, who is now vice-president of the West African Football Union (Wafu), is a known opponent of current Caf president, Issa Hayatou, who has now been president since 1988.

He (Hayatou) has been there for too long," said Pele.

Bhamjee, who is 59, will now embark on a campaign throughout Africa in bid to win the presidential election at the Caf congress in Tunisia on January 20, 2004, just a few days before the start of the African Nations Cup.

On Wednesday his decision to stand for Caf president was given unanimous backing by the 13 member nations of the Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa), of whom Bhamjee is the current president.

"I am overwhelmed by this unanimous decision," he said.

"There is a lot of work to be done to put African football back on the right track and I am privileged and honoured to be able to put forward my name to lead the organisation (Caf) in this new century."

Asked about his chances of winning the election, Bhamjee gave himself a diplomatic 50/50 shot.