Africa solidly behind Blatter in Fifa presidency race?

African football has boosted Sepp Blatter's bid to remain as Fifa president for four more years by reiterating its support for the current head of the world game.

Blatter has announced his intention to stay on in a role he has held since 1998, and his campaign has been widely backed throughout Africa.

And two big hitters in the continent's administration have underlined the huge support enjoyed by the 78-year-old Swiss, telling the BBC that Blatter is a hugely popular figure.

"Africa is solidly behind Blatter," said Ghana FA president and Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee member Kwesi Nyantaki. "And he gets full and unwavering support from Ghana.

"He has done a lot for the continent. It is he who has set up the financial assistance programmes and who through the Goal project has built infrastructure in all of the countries.

"The Europeans don't understand that. They say it is not his own money but Fifa's but that's not the point."

Nyantaki continued: "You will find he is very popular on the continent.

"He is the one who set up all the assistance programmes that have helped boost African football."

South African FA chief and fellow CAF ExCo member Molefi Oliphant also spoke out in favour of the under-fire president.

"The continent is united behind him. We made a formal endorsement of his candidacy last year at our meeting in Rio de Janeiro already."

Blatter is one of five candidates for the presidency, with Jerome Champagne, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, David Ginola and Michael van Praag having also stated their desire to run.

The hopefuls have until Thursday, January 29 to submit their applications, with each needing to have the written support of five national associations.