South Africa’s sports minister, Mbalule Fikile has denied claims by CAF president Issa Hayatou that he has been endorsed for re-election by South African President Jacob Zuma.

Hayatou met with President Zuma last weekend in Johannesburg, during the Africa Super Cup tie between Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe.

Afterwards a statement on CAF website declared that Zuma had thrown his weight behind Hayatou’s bid for another term. He has been on saddle since 1988.

However, Fikile said: “After being informed of Mr. Hayatou’s candidacy by South Africa Football Association president Danny Jordaan, President Zuma wished him good luck as he would have done to the other candidates… President Jacob Zuma has not given his personal support or that of the South African government to Hayatou.”