CONFERDERATION of African Football (CAF) presidential candidate Ahmad Ahmad has heaped praise on Cosafa and Zifa president Philip Chiyangwa for uniting the regional block and instilling a new selfless thinking among federation leaders.

The Madagascar Football association (FA) leader is challenging longstanding Cameron strongman Issa Hayatou who has been at the helm of CAF since 1988 in presidential elections set for March 16 in Ethiopia.

With the Zifa boss as his election manager, Ahmad’s bid gathered traction after FIFA president Gianni Infantino graced Chiyangwa’s birthday bash last week which was reportedly organised to drum up support for the Malagasy.

Chiyangwa has charmed Ahmad with his approach to business which the later says has brought a fresh thinking within Cosafa.

“I thank him (Chiyangwa) very much as you know we started this thing in Cosafa when, in December, we elected him to be regional president,” said the CAF presidential candidate.

“I appreciate him a lot because before that (Chiyangwa’s ascendancy to Cosafa presidency) all the presidents of Cosafa used to think only of themselves as you saw each of them standing for CAF and FIFA positions.

“But Chiyangwa said no, we need a leadership that decides together who challenges for CAF positions, who challenges for FIFA positions because Cosafa, with a membership of 14 associations, has the power to decide many things in CAF and FIFA.

“Now together we decide what is good for our federations and Africa and that is the good job of Philip so I thank him and wish him good luck in his new challenge which will not be easy.

“You see he is a businessman, he is Zifa president, and now Cosafa but we believe in him and have confidence he will make our region very good,” said Ahmad.

On the CAF elections the Malagasy said it was not his personal decision to contest but rather an answer to calls from his colleagues who are not happy with the management at the continental governing board.

He also said it is unfortunate the current leadership gets accused of regionalism in the granting of tournament hosts rights something that he said will change after his election.

“I didn’t take the decision to challenge the CAF presidency,” Ahmad said, “I answered a cry for help from my fellow federation leaders who want a change in CAF systems.

“When you are president you have to take care of all 54 members not to separate people.

“We will open it (tournament hosting rights) to debate and afford every member the opportunity to host,” he said.

Ahmad’s challenge has touched a raw nerve within CAF corridors of power and the continental block on Thursday warned Chiyangwa that his birthday and its alleged destabilising effect will be on the agenda at the executive committee’s next meeting.