The head of the Madagascar Football Association, who is the only challenger to incumbent Hayatou, was given the backing of the 13-member organisation following a meeting in Johannesburg in South Africa.

"The meeting produced a number of resolutions, including the full endorsement of the Madagascar Football Association President, known simply as Ahmad, as he seeks the position of President of the Confederation of African Football at the governing body’s elections in Ethiopia next month," the COSAFA said in a statement.

Tensions have surfaced between the two organisations in recent days, with the CAF accusing the COSAFA of attempting to "destabilise" their organisation by holding a meeting with Presidents of other African FAs in Harare later this month.

In a letter addressed to COSAFA President Philip Chiyangwa, who is holding a celebratory event for his 58th birthday and for his election victory in Zimbabwe on February 24, CAF secretary general Hicham El Amrani said: "Such a meeting would not only include Presidents of Member Associations of COSAFA, but also Presidents of many Member Associations outside the zonal union of the COSAFA.

"The CAF leadership would like to remind you that you do not have any authority to convene such a meeting, without CAF knowledge or without its prior approval."

It is thought the letter of warning shows the level of concern within the CAF that Ahmad's challenge to Hayatou, who has led the organisation since 1988 and is seeking an eighth term in charge, might prove successful.

Chiyangwa, the President of the Zimbabwe Football Association, will seek legal advice on whether holding the meeting breaches CAF rules.

"I'm yet to respond to that letter because I have to get advice from my legal team if there is a violation of football statutes that govern both CAF and FIFA in inviting my fellow football leaders to my belated birthday celebrations and also to mark my victory in the race for the COSAFA Presidency," he was quoted as saying by Nehanda Radio.

The event in Harare is also expected to be attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who will travel to the city from Addis Ababa, where world football's governing body are due to hold two FIFA Executive Football Summits from February 21 to 23.

The Summits "bring together Member Association Presidents and general secretaries to discuss strategic matters and provide a platform for discussion, debate and an exchange of know-how", according to FIFA.

Hayatou has only been challenged on two previous occasions for the Presidency and prevailed each time, with the FIFA vice-president having won the last election in 2013 unopposed.

The Cameroonian served as interim FIFA President in 2015 before the election of Infantino as a permanent replacement for Sepp Blatter.

The 70-year-old has faced numerous allegations of wrongdoing during his tenure as CAF President, which he denies.

It was widely reported last month that the Egyptian Competition Authority had specifically referred Hayatou to prosecutors as part of a probe into an alleged abuse of his CAF position.

He is supposedly suspected of awarding broadcast rights to the Lagardere Sports media company without opening up the tender process.

A "free and fair" tender process is required under Egyptian law, something which is relevant because CAF is based in Cairo.

But the CAF, which has 56 members, claimed the prosecution is based on "false information" and that Hayatou is not personally implicated.

The Presidential election is due to be held on March 16 in Addis Ababa.