ISSA Hayatou loyalist Hicham el Amrani has resigned as the secretary general of the Confederation of African Football on Sunday as new president Ahmad Ahmad hit the ground running meeting the staff for the first time.

The 38-year-old Moroccan tendered his resignation ahead of looming changes at Africa's football governing body.

Amrani leaves the Cairo-based organisation after just eight years in the post.

"It is with great regret that I hereby inform you that I am leaving today my position as CAF General Secretary, after eight years spent within the Confederation of African Football," Amrani wrote in a letter sent to all federations across Africa.

His position became untenable after his godfather Hayatou lost to Ahmad in an election that has ushered in a new dispensation.

Amrani and Hayatou are under investigation over the television rights deal awarded to French company Lagardere which made his further stay at CAF difficult.

The 38-year-old replaced Mustapha Fahmy in 2011 after the latter quit Caf to join Fifa as the Director of Competitions.

New CAF President, Ahmad, chaired his first meeting with staff of the organization at the CAF Secretariat in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday.

The meeting marked his effective assumption of office following his election to the position during the 39th CAF Ordinary General Assembly on 16 March 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“This house belongs to you. CAF is yours. Let’s protect our institution. We politicians are just passing by but you have been called to stay. I have confidence in you and I am convinced that with you we will be able to succeed and develop African football more,” the CAF President told the staff as he set out his vision.

At the end of his address, he announced that he has accepted the resignation of the General Secretary, El Amrani. Deputy General Secretary, Essam Ahmed, an Egyptian, will act in that capacity until further notice.

The CAF President also presented to the staff, two members of his cabinet; Hedi Hamel, Communications Advisor and Ludovic Christian Lomotsi, Legal Advisor.

He was also accompanied by two members of the CAF Executive Committee, Constant Omari Selemani and Kwesi Nyantakyi.

After meeting the staff, the CAF President also held sectorial meetings with the different divisions. These include Finance, Services, Human Resources and Competitions.