Amaju Pinnick Poised to Keep FIFA Council Seat
Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick is in a strong position to retain his seat on the FIFA Council as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) prepares for elections at its 14th Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday. The FIFA Council, which oversees global football affairs, has 37 members, and Africa holds seven of those seats.
Pinnick faces tough competition from Moroccan Fouzi Lekjaa and Egyptian Hany Abou Rida, alongside seven other candidates. With only five spots available, the election at the Marriott Mena House is expected to be intense. However, Pinnick’s experience and influence in African football give him an edge.
Fierce Competition for FIFA Council Seats
In addition to Pinnick, the race includes notable figures such as Yacine Idriss Diallo from Ivory Coast, Augustin Senghor from Senegal, and Andrew Kamanga from Zambia. While the CAF President’s seat is secured for Patrice Motsepe, the remaining six spots are up for grabs. One of these is reserved for a female representative, with Kanizat Ibrahim from Comoros and Isha Johansen from Sierra Leone vying for the position.
Each of CAF’s 54 member nations will vote for five male candidates and one female candidate. Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, will cast Nigeria’s vote. He arrived in Cairo on Sunday, accompanied by NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi.
Strong Support for Pinnick
The Nigerian government has officially backed Pinnick’s candidacy. In July 2024, the Presidency publicly endorsed his bid, and key officials, including National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade, are in Cairo to show support.
Pinnick’s tenure on the FIFA Council has strengthened Nigeria’s influence in global football. If re-elected, he is expected to continue pushing for better opportunities for African football on the world stage.
CAF Executive Committee Elections
While the FIFA Council elections will be closely contested, the CAF Executive Committee polls will see fewer surprises. Most regions have already settled on unopposed candidates, except for the COSAFA zone, where four contenders are battling for two seats. Meanwhile, Cameroonian football icon Samuel Eto’o is the sole candidate for the UNIFFAC region, and Liberia’s Mustapha Ishola Raji stands unchallenged for WAFU A.
What to Expect
The elections begin at 9 a.m. Nigeria time on Wednesday. With many heavyweights in the race, the battle for FIFA Council seats will be one of the most competitive in recent history. Pinnick’s chances look promising, but the final outcome will depend on the votes cast by CAF member nations.
