By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport, Tunis

Ismail Bhamjee has accused Caf President Issa Hayatou of racism

Defeated Caf presidential candidate Ismail Bhamjee has accused re-elected incumbent Issa Hayatou of racism.

Bhamjee, a Botswanan of Indian ancestry, took exception to a statement made by Hayatou during his post-election presidential victory speech in Tunis on Thursday.

"African football should be managed for Africa by Africans," said Hayatou after he had been re-elected for another four year term that will make him the longest-serving president in African football history.

"I am very disappointed by that statement," said Bhamjee in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport on Thursday.

"It appears that Hayatou is insinuating that I am not African because of my ancestry.

"This is the only meaning that I can read into that statement.

"I am really disappointed that he can talk in that manner," Bhamjee said.

Losing to Hayatou by 46 votes to six, Bhamjee admitted that he was in "shock and disbelief" when the result of the election was announced.

African football will get the kind of leadership that it deserves Ismail Bhamjee

"It's not just losing that was painful. I am disgusted by my own [Cosafa] region.

"They were the ones that asked me to stand and they failed to give me their support.

"I was expecting at least 11 votes from the South African region and five or six votes from the East and Central African zone.

"They were the ones that complained of Hayatou's leadership style and said they wanted a change.

"But they have re-elected him, so African football will get the kind of leadership that it deserves," Bhamjee said.

Despite his humiliating defeat to Hayatou, Bhamjee does not have any apology for standing for the Caf presidency.

"I feel that no-one had the courage to stand against him, but I did and I do not regret that."

Bhamjee's defeat means he no longer has a place on the Caf executive committee, yet the Botswanan insists he will not be consigned to the sidelines of the African game.

"I am still president of Cosafa for a year and remain on the Fifa executive committee until 2006."