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Kwesi Nyantakyi has been handed a massive boost for next week’s Caf Executive Committee elections when one of his key opponents for the post withdrew from the race to back the Ghana FA boss.
Togolese Tata Avlessi, who was among the four contestants for the vacant West B, announced his decision to quit the race on Thursday night.
The former Togo has now asked all his supporters to throw their weight behind by voting for the Ghanaian hopeful.
This means Nyantakyi will have to fight Benin's Anjorin Moucharafou and Hima Souley of Niger for the position.
Avlessi, the fomer Togo FA boss, says Nyantakyi is the man to help drive African football forward with the modern ideas that have transformed Ghana football.
“African football is in need of young people like Nyantakyi who have done extremely well for their countries,†Avlessi said.
“After a careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my candidature to back him so that he can bring that bright Ghana vision to African football.
“I will ask all those who have pledged their support for me to throw their weight behind him so that he can help raise African football.
“I respect the other contestants but I think Nyantakyi is the best candidate for the job and for Africa.†Nyantakyi will know his fate when delegates gather for the 32nd Ordinary General Assembly next week. The GFA President is slugging it out to succeed retiring Togolese incumbent, General Seyi Memene when delegates from 53 national associations congregate at the session slated for Khartoum, Sudan on Wednesday, February 23.
Moucharafou, who is under siege in his position as the Benin FA boss, is an ally of long-standing CAF boss Issa Hayatou – a generation seen by many as the old guard.
Hima Suley, the former Niger FA boss, is not known by many in footballing circles in Africa.
Nyantakyi, the likeable figure in African football circles, is the reason behind the recent successes of the Ghana national team and the U20 side that clinched Africa’s first world youth title.