Nigeria Football Federation has thrown its support behind Ahmad Ahmad,the head of Madagascar FA as he seeks to unseat long serving CAF President Issa Hayatou.

Mr Hayatou has been in the leadership for the past 29 years and will be seeking his eighth successive term of office in an election on March 15 this year.

In an interview with BBC on Tuesday,NFA president Amaju Pinnick expressed Ahmad candidature as a defining moment for African football.

“You have to listen to a larger audience instead of just a tiny cabal,you have to know it goes beyond you,” Pinnick said.

“I will definetly work with him if he wins but my prayer is we need a bridge builder and that person is Ahmad”.

He also cited ‘post election differences between Gianni Infantino and Issa Hayatou which are irreconcilable’.

Hayatou meanwhile has sent signals indicating that he respects Ahmad decision to contest the elections.