In a dramatic turn of fortune, Niger Football Federation President Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, popularly known as “Pele,” has secured a position on the prestigious FIFA Council in a historic achievement for Nigerien football.
Djibrilla emerged victorious in the tightly contested elections held in Cairo, Egypt, on March 12, 2025, during the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly after polling 35 votes out of 53 to secure one of Africa’s five available slots.
Djibrilla’s win is seen as a major upset, considering the quality of stiff competition from Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa, Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick, and Senegal’s Augustin Senghor, who had been strongly tipped as favorites.
His military background and reputation for being a tough, calculating commander worked in his favor during his successful campaign.
The fact that he also had strong bonds with Francophone nations provided him with a firm voting bloc to rely on in securing the necessary support.
His victory is a shift in African football politics, with smaller football nations like Niger now having voice and representation in FIFA decision-making.
It also highlights the growing influence of Francophone football leaders, who continue to assert their dominance over CAF and FIFA issues.
Djibrilla’s new position on the FIFA Council will allow him to influence African football at the highest level, advocating for more investments, better infrastructure, and more representation for emerging football nations.
His upset win has redrawn the map of African football leadership, showing that diplomatic alliances and strategy remain determining factors in global football politics.
