FIFA will take control of African football following the string of corruption scandals that have rocked the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The action was announced on Thursday after CAF executive committee made the decision to cede control and have FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura swoop in as “FIFA General Delegate for Africa”.

A joint statement was read out at a news conference by CAF president Ahmad Ahmad in Cairo on Thursday.

Samoura will oversee the running of CAF from August till January with the possibility of a renewal of her six-month stint.

Ahmad is under FIFA ethics investigation for alleged corrupt practices and sexual misconduct.

He was under brief detention by French police last week for questioning on corruption allegations.

The statement said Samoura will oversee the management of CAF and would be assisted by experts in governance and administrative procedures.

FIFA are to also undertake a forensic audit of CAF, it added.

The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Cairo on Friday with hosts Egypt taking on Zimbabwe.