With just a day to go before the crucial Confederation of African Football (CAF) elections for seats on the FIFA Council, the contest has intensified, with some of the continent’s most influential football administrators locked in a high-stakes battle.
The race for five men’s slots and one female seat promises to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent years as contestants and delegates have arrived in Cairo ahead of Wednesday’s close elections.
Among the heavyweights vying for positions are Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa, Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick, Senegal’s Augustin Senghor and Egypt’s Hany Hassan Abou Rida—each with vast experience and strong political backing.
They are joined by Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania), Mathurin De Chacus (Benin), Djibrilla Hima Hamidou (Niger), Suleiman Hassan Waberi (Djibouti), Idris Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire), and Andrew Kamanga (Zambia).
In the women’s category, Isha Johansen, former Sierra Leone FA president and a current FIFA Council member, faces a stiff challenge from Kanizat Ibrahim, the current vice president of CAF from Comoros.
Lobbying in Overdrive
Behind the scenes at the Marriott Hotel in Cairo, intense lobbying is shaping the final days before the vote. With regional alliances playing a critical role, candidates are engaging in last-minute negotiations to secure crucial votes.
Lekjaa, known for his close ties with CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, is seen as a front-runner. However, the inclusion of Senghor, a seasoned FIFA insider with extensive influence, adds an unpredictable twist.
Amaju Pinnick, who has served on the FIFA Council , is mounting a strong cre-election bid. Similarly, Senegal’s Senghor, who was a key contender for the CAF presidency in 2021 before stepping aside for Motsepe, is another strong contender.
Nuhu Adams
