By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport

Hayatou says leading Africa is a tough job

Pinning down Caf president Issa Hayatou for a chat could be likened to dispossessing Jay-Jay Okocha of the ball at the height of his powers - not an easy assignment.

But on 1 March, I had the chance to share a London black taxi with him and two other members of the Caf and Fifa executive committees - Amadou Diakite of Mali and Tunisia's Slim Aloulou.

Caught in traffic as we drove from our Bush House studio to Claridges Hotel, following an interview, I had a chance to talk with him about the burning issues affecting the African game - knowing he had no quick route of escape!

At the moment, there probably isn't a more pressing issue than which nation would have the support of the only people in the continent - not forgetting Botswana's Ismail Bhamjee - that will partake in Fifa's executive committee vote to determine the African country that gets the 2010 World Cup.

Hayatou, a man not given to showing his hand before the game is played, was unwilling to reveal his choice before the crucial 15 May vote in Zurich.

It is not easy being the leader of African football Issa Hayatou

"I am yet to make up my mind [on whom to vote for] but even if I have, you do not expect me to tell you," he said, as Diakite and Aloulou, who kept mum on their choices, listened to the conversation with keen interest.

"There is still a lot of time between now and May and I have many things that I must consider," Hayatou emphasised.

With his resounding victory over Bhamjee at the last Caf presidential election in Tunisia, Hayatou's term of office will run to twenty years, making him the longest-serving Caf leader in history.

I was curious to know if he was looking at equalling the tenure of the former Fifa president Joao Havelange, who spent 24 years as the head of the global game.

"I do not think that I would want to stay that long, as I would be too old," Hayatou thought.

Leadership challenges

He went on to reminisce on how he has coped with the demands of the job since his election in 1988.

"It is not easy being the leader of African football. There are so many things around the continent that makes this a very demanding post.

"We have people of different races, different ethnic groups and different mentalities and I have to cope with various interests and reach compromises for the benefit of all.

Hayatou is Caf's longest serving president

"If I were not a straightforward person with all the interests I have to consider, I would not have been able to stay in charge for this long and still retain the confidence of the continent," said a confident Hayatou.

The million-dollar question that went unanswered was the question of whom he thought would succeed him when he decides to bow out of office.

Unfortunately, I hadn't the chance to ask the question, as the taxi, out of the clutches of heavy traffic, pulled into Claridges.

The three men alighted from the cab and rushed into their rooms, in order to dress up for their subsequent visit to Buckingham Palace, where they met Queen Elizabeth, the British monarch.

But I am relishing the prospect of getting the answer when another fortuitous moment presents itself, which will hopefully be sooner than later.