A statement signed by the heads of Africa’s six regions revealed 46 Presidents of the continent’s 54 Member Associations believe Ahmad should stand for re-election, according to the BBC.

Ahmad, who goes by one name and has been CAF President since 2017, has yet to declare his intention to run in the election, due to be held in March next year.

But with less than a month to go before the deadline for applications, calls are growing for Ahmad to put forward his candidacy.

Algeria, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe are understood to be the only African nations not to put their name to the statement.

"Today, we, Presidents of the six Councils of African Football Associations, supported by 46 presidents of our 54 Member Associations, call on President Ahmad to run for a second term in order to continue with his achievement," the statement read.

"If he decides to do so, we will support him."

FIFA effectively took over control of CAF in July 2019 following a series of allegations levelled at Ahmad, who is from Madagascar.

Secretary general Fatma Samoura was placed in charge of a group overseeing day-to-day operations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Ahmad was arrested over corruption charges in Paris last June and has also been accused of sexual harassment.

He has been subject to an investigation by FIFA's Ethics Committee but he has not faced suspension.

The statement calling for Ahmad’s re-election said he had "brought new impetus to football in Africa".

"The reforms initiated on the first day of his mandate have built a demanding institution, strong, modern, rising each day a little more to international standards,” the statement read.

"In four years, he managed to set up a new system of governance, collegial, allowing all goodwill to participate in the life of football.

"The fundamental reorganisation of the institution has made the administration more efficient.

"Transparency - particularly financial - has become a major concern, which is improving every day.

"CAF is doing better, but the situation remains fragile.

"Transformations in the institution are bearing fruit, but reforms must continue and good practices take root.

"The culture of high standards must become a habit.

"This requires time, perseverance and vigilance that only stability can bring."

The statement insisted African football needed to a "vision" and a "modern project" in place, but felt efforts made by Ahmad were "promising".

"President Ahmad has already spoken of his desire to make football accessible to everyone, regardless of ethnic, economic, religious or gender differences," the statement added.

"We agree, and we welcome also the historic progress already made in women’s football materials.

"We too are convinced that our sport is a way to create links between all Africans.

"That must be a path to emancipation. 

"We believe in the virtues of exemplary football, able to serve as a model for African youth.

"The work carried out on refereeing over the past four years points in this direction."

Last week saw Wadie Jary, President of the Tunisian Football Federation (TFF), declare his intention to stand for the top job in African football.

He is the second potential challenger from Tunisia after FIFA Council member Tarek Bouchamaoui said he would run for President earlier this month.

But Bouchamaoui's bid has already been dealt a blow as TFF member Hisham Benamran told the Tunisian radio station Express FM the national governing body would support Jary.

The BBC report Tunisia was among the countries to have pledged its support to Ahmad's possible re-election.

The CAF Presidential election is due to take place on March 12 in Rabat in Morocco.