The decision was taken at a CAF meeting in Rwanda's capital Kigali, where the organisation listened to presentations given by Shaikh Salman and fellow candidates Gianni Infantino, UEFA’s general secretary, Frenchman Jérôme  Champagne and South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale.

Jordanian Football Association President Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, beaten by Sepp Blatter at last year’s Presidential election, did not attend the meeting. 

The announcement comes even though Sexwale is among the five contenders.

He does not plan to pull out, despite the major setback of not earning the backing of his own continent. 

Sexwale's campaign has come under criticism from the South African Football Association, who asked him to “come and explain himself” following what they described as a “low-key” campaign to date.

A senior official from the organisation has reportedly suggested he "discontinue his campaign" as a result of failing to gain the support of his home confederation.

Sexwale has offered very little in the way of suggesting how he would reform the corruption-hit governing body and recently hinted he may consider striking a deal ahead of the election, declaring the “time for alliances had arrived.”

While the support of CAF, often seen as a key battleground in the election, reaffirms the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s position as the front-runner in the five-strong race, it does not necessarily mean all 54 of the African Associations will vote for the Shaikh.

The vote itself will be conducted by secret ballot and CAF’s endorsement does not guarantee a bloc of support for the AFC chief.

It is widely expected that the AFC will follow suit in announcing their backing for Shaikh Salman despite another Asian, Prince Ali, being involved in the race.

“I am humbled by the support of CAF’s Executive Committee and tremendously encouraged by the unanimous decision to support my bid for the office of FIFA President," a statement from Shaikh Salman read.

“I am deeply honoured to have earned the trust of many of our African friends at this crucial stage of the campaigning effort.

“The two endorsements only mean that there is a strong groundswell in favour of my candidacy.

“What they don’t mean is that I sit back and relax.

“This campaign will be decided on the day of the vote, February 26, 2016, and not before.

“Naturally, I am confident that I now have a reasonably strong position to work from with such support.”

The Bahrain Football Association head has long been considered the favourite but has been forced to fend off accusations that he was complicit in the torture of athletes in his home nation in 2011.

It was claimed that he oversaw a committee which targeted athletes participating in anti-Governmental protests in Bahrain but recently told Sky Sports that he was “one million per cent” certain that no Bahraini footballers or athletes were tortured.

He has always strenuously denied the allegations.

Fellow candidate Infantino had emerged as a potential challenger to the Shaikh with a stream of recent backings from various countries, as well as the South American Football Confederation.

The Football Associations in Andorra, Azerbaijan, Austria, Georgia, Poland, Spain and Serbia have become the latest to throw their support behind the Swiss, general secretary of European football's governing body since 2009, and is only standing after an eight-year ban was imposed on UEFA President Michel Platini following allegations of corruption.