With just hours to go before the crucial Confederation of African Football (CAF) elections for seats on the FIFA Council on Cairo today (Wednesday), 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.
Andrew Kamanga of Zambia and Idris Diallo of Côte d’Ivoire bring different levels of influence, with Kamanga looking to rally COSAFA nations behind his bid while the shrewd Nigerien operator Hamidou., known as Pele, is also seen as strong.
A Battle of Power and Influence
The election results could have major implications for Africa’s influence within FIFA, especially with Morocco’s growing role in world football.
The kingdom, which will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, is keen to strengthen its representation in global football governance.
On the other hand, the return of established figures such as Abou Rida and the aspirations of Pinnick signal a broader power play within CAF.
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Johansen is banking on her track record within FIFA and CAF, while Ibrahim is seeking to rally support from Francophone and Indian Ocean nations.
The Final Countdown
The outcome of the elections will determine the direction of African football governance over the next four years.
With the vote set to take place in three days, expect political maneuvering to reach fever pitch as candidates fight for every single vote in what is shaping up to be one of the most intense CAF FIFA Council elections in recent history.
Will the old guard retain their influence, or will new faces emerge to reshape African football’s global standing? The battle lines are drawn, and Africa waits to see who will claim the six coveted FIFA Council seats.
