Hani Abou Rida has been named the new president of the North African Football Union (UNAF), succeeding his Egyptian compatriot Gamal Allam. The decision was confirmed during the union’s general assembly held on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt.
Leadership Change at UNAF
The meeting, chaired by Algerian Minister of Sports and President of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), Walid Sadi, marked an important transition in UNAF leadership.
Sadi, who had been serving as interim president, oversaw the appointment of Abou Rida to complete Allam’s term at the helm of the regional football body.
Abou Rida, a well-respected figure in African football administration, has held several high-profile roles, including serving as a member of FIFA’s Council and the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Executive Committee.
His leadership is expected to bring stability and strategic direction to UNAF, which oversees football development across North Africa.
Key Decisions from the Assembly
Beyond the presidential appointment, the UNAF general assembly approved a new referee exchange program among its member federations.
The initiative aims to enhance officiating standards in local competitions by allowing referees to gain experience in different footballing environments within the region.
Additionally, discussions were held on major upcoming competitions, including the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and the final stages of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The meeting also addressed the development of the Association of African Clubs, a body that seeks to improve club-level football across the continent.
With Abou Rida now at the helm, UNAF is expected to push forward with initiatives that strengthen North African football and enhance cooperation between its member associations.
