MACBETH was copiously quoted as saying ‘there’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face’ yet the likelihood of who would win the CAF Presidency on March 16 in Ethiopia can easily be decoded if the body languages of the elective congress is anything to go by.
The politics of African football is different from other climes around the world hence the battle between incumbent Hayatou and challenger Ahmad is beyond conventional wisdom.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has divided the continent into five zonal regions and three language zones; and this to large extent would determine where the pendulum of the votes would go. For instance, Ahmad would most certainly get the bulk of his votes from the Southern African region with strong backing from the regional football governing body, COSAFA. Until late last week, Ahmad has guaranteed the COSAFA one hundred percent votes but Zambia, Comoros Island and Mauritius. Hayatou has his foothold in the both the Central and Central East Zone; and would certainly get sympathy from the Western Zone A and Western Zone B which is originally perceived to be Ahmad foothold.
For keen followers of African football politics, this election is fait accompli for Hayatou despite the bold posturing from Ahmad and his change agents for some obvious reasons. Since factors such as language connection; respective governmental influence; long-time patronage and relationship which all seemed to favour the big man from Cameroun.
Unless, there is a last-minute change, the voting pattern in Ethiopia come March 16 might not be different from what we have here.