Issa Hayatou calls for 'unity' ahead of CAF Presidential election

Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou has called on the body to be united "whatever may be your decision" in Thursday's election.

Hayatou, who is attempting to win an eighth term in office, and Madagascar Football Association chief Ahmad are the two candidates for the presidency.

Many African federations have refused to say who they will back.

"Issa has never faced a challenge like this and he has had to call in some favours," one Caf executive member.

The leaders of football federations across the continent are gathered in Addis Ababa to choose who will lead Caf for the next four years.

Cameroon's Hayatou remains the favourite after 29 years in the role, but his challenger Ahmad has picked up support with his calls for "change".

Hayatou has showed signs of uncertainty in the run-up to the election and on Thursday he used his opening speech at the assembly to try to reassert his authority.

"As the president of Caf, who today possesses ... unequalled experience and wisdom, I urge you, whatever may be your decision, to choose unity," the 70-year-old said.

Hayatou also said that after Fifa's decision to enlarge the number of World Cup slots from 32 to 48 nations, he would lobby for 10 places for African nations.

He also called for the Africa Cup of Nations to be maintained at the beginning of the year, when the climate is cooler, amid calls for it to be rescheduled to accommodate European clubs who don't want to lose their African players during their season.