Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick narrowly failed to retain his seat on the FIFA Council, losing by just one vote at the election that went on as part of the 14th CAF Extraordinary Congress in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday.
Pinnick amassed 28 votes, falling behind Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Djibouti’s Souleiman Hassan Waberi, who secured 29 votes each to claim seats on the elite council.
Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa led the voting with an overwhelming 49 votes, while Egypt’s Hany Abou Rida and Niger Republic’s Djibrilla Hima Hamidou both secured 35 votes to also secure their spots.
Joining them as Africa’s representatives on the FIFA Council is Kanizat Ibrahim from Comoros, who clinched the women’s seat with 30 votes.
She overcame former FIFA Council and IOC member Lydia Nsekera, who received 13 votes, and incumbent Isha Johansen, who managed just seven.
Meanwhile, Andrew Kamanga (Zambia), Yacine Idriss Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire), and Augustin Senghor (Senegal) fell short with 19, 18, and 13 votes, respectively, while Benin Republic’s Mathurin De Chacus withdrew from the race before voting began.
Unopposed, as the CAF President, were Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku (WAFU B, Ghana), Wallace Karia (CECAFA, Tanzania), Samuel Eto’o (UNIFFAC, Cameroon), Mustapha Ishola Raji (WAFU A, Liberia), Sadhi Walid (UNAF) and Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Female Seat, DR Congo).
CAF Exco Seats: Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku (WAFU B; Samuel Eto’o (UNIFFAC); Wallace Karia (CECAFA); Sadhi Walid (UNAF); Mustapha Ishola Raji (WAFU A); Sobha Mohamed Ally Samir and Feizal Ismael Sidat (COSAFA)
Women's Seat: Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (DR Congo)
By: Pascal Amoah
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Football in Africa has evolved into a powerful industry, producing elite players, competitive leagues, and passionate fan bases. Countries across the continent continue to develop infrastructure, improve coaching standards, and attract international scouts searching for the next generation of stars. Investments in local clubs, youth academies, and tournament organization are strengthening the sport’s foundation.
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