Issa Hayatou’s reign as the rule of Confederation of African Football (Caf) is facing its biggest threat as Ahmad Ahmad, the head of Madagascar’s FA, will challenge the long-standing ruler in March’s presidential elections.

Ahmad, a member of the Caf Executive Committee, is currently in his third period of office with Madagascar, has a silent groundswell of support to defeat the Cameroonian at the polls.

With a huge financial support and a growing number of federations pledging their support to Ahmad, the senator in his country thinks he will deliver the unthinkable by defeating Hayatou.

While Hayatou has received several letters backing him for the March elections, Ahmad’s associates say the fear of victimization is preventing federations to come out in support.

He thinks he has enough support to defeat the strongman Hayatou as a defeat at the polls for Ahmad can all but end his role in African football politics.

Hayatou, who has ruled the African game since 1988, is seeking an eighth term.

Hayatou, who has ruled the African game since 1988, is seeking an eighth term.

The 70-year-old was re-elected unopposed during the last Caf presidential elections in 2013.

The Cameroonian had previously stated this term would be his last until a change of regulations altered his stance.

In 2015, Caf voted to change the statutes which previously stopped officials serving past the age of 70.

This paved the way for Hayatou, who turned 70 last year, to stand in the election.

Ahmad has told the BBC that his candidacy has been accepted by Caf, although the African football body has yet to confirm this.

The elections will take place in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa as the organisation celebrates its 60th year of existence.

Whoever wins the election will be limited to a maximum of three terms in office after Caf amended its rules last year.

Only members of the organisation’s 15-man executive committee can contest the presidential election.