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The 32^nd Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) under the chairmanship of president Issa Hayatou took place on Friday, January 29 at the Talatona Convention center in Luanda.

Also, in attendance was FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter, representatives of other Confederations, Angolan Government Officials, CAF Executive Committee members and delegates of the national Associations affiliated to the continental football soccer governing body except Central African Republic, absent at the time of roll call.

Angola football Federation President Justino Fernandes welcomed all the delegates to the oil-rich southern African country, adding “Angola has done everything possible to ensure a successful Africa Cup of Nations.”

CAF President Hayatou in his inaugural address noted that the year 2009 saw the organization of the maiden edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cote d´Ivoire, FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 world cup in Egypt and Nigeria respectively as well as the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa which usually preludes the world Cup.

“CAF has yet to experience a great year with lots of innovation and significant advances. I also thank Angola Government for their hospitality. It became our legitimate gratitude by giving the hosting right of our flagship event. Angola is a great country and deserves our trust.

"In a few weeks (132 days), if I am not mistaken in my calculations, South Africa will host the World Cup, the first in Africa. It is a magnificent gift that honors us and makes us very proud.

He reminded the hosts to take into consideration other factors apart from just football as they stage the biggest football tournament around.

“You will organize the World Cup, but your mission goes well beyond sport. You will contribute to the quality of your organization to change, improve and transform the perception of our continent beyond the ocean. This is an exciting role. But you will allow more young people to create, to get involved because they understand that Africans can if they want.”

FIFA President Blatter began his speech by offering condolences to the victims of the Togo attack attack by rebels on their way to Cabinda. Earlier, CAF President Hayatou supervised the observation of a minute´s silence for the victims.

 Blatter also commended Egypt and Nigeria for hosting successful championships while commending the idea of a tournament for footballers playing the in the domestic leagues, thus the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“All African should come together to ensure a successful World Cup. I have always called for a tournament for domestic players in professional and semi-professional leagues. Football is the national base of every country.”

Angolan Minister of Youth and Sports, Gonçalves Muandumba recalled that his country had done everything to meet the expectations of the CAF, attributing that largely to the commitment of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who had placed the organization of the CAN 2010 a top priority.

He also expressed their desire to host future CAF competitions.

CAF General Secretary, Mustapha Fahmy in his activity report highlighted on the performance of the Ghana and Nigeria team at the World Championships, TP Mazembe of DR Congo in the continental club championships among others.

The five Zonal Unions namely;  UNAF, WAFU, CECAFA, COSAFA and UNIFFAC also presented their reports and their programmes organized during the year.

Mr. Suketu Patel, chairman of the CAF Finance Committee furnished the General Assembly with the financial report of the Confederation indicating a surplus of nearly $ 1 million. This, he said, was mainly due to the fact that CAF for the first time received $1 million for the Olympic tournament. As at June 30, 2009, the capital of CAF was estimated at 34.58 million dollars, despite significant investments in the three centers of excellence (Cameroon, Senegal and Ethiopai), the cash position remains healthy at a figure of 18.8 million.

There were also reports from the Chief Executive of the South Africa 2010 Organising Committee Chairman, Danny Jordan and COCAN Executives of the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea CAN 2012.

CAF President Hayatou thanked all present for the fruitful session.

The 33^rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly will be held in Khartoum, Sudan in 2011.