Mahazou Cissé elected president of Mali Football Federation in landslide vote

Mahazou Cissé has been elected as the new president of the Malian Football Federation following an Extraordinary General Assembly held in Bamako, securing an overwhelming mandate to lead the country’s football for the next four years.

The vote took place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Hôtel de l’Amitié, where federation delegates gathered to decide the future leadership of Malian football.

At the end of the session, Cissé, also known as Baba Cissé, was confirmed as the new head of the governing body.

He won decisively, receiving 69 votes out of 72 cast, reflecting strong backing from stakeholders across the national football structure. Only one vote was cast against his candidacy, while two delegates abstained.

The result gives Cissé a clear mandate to oversee the development and reform of football in Mali through to 2030.

His election is seen as a sign of broad consensus within the game, with members of the federation expressing confidence in his leadership and long-term vision.

The scale of the victory highlights the level of support behind his candidacy and suggests continuity and stability at the top of Malian football administration.

Delegates at the assembly were tasked with determining the direction of the sport at a time when development at both domestic and international levels remains a key focus.

Cissé now takes charge of a federation responsible for guiding national teams, domestic competitions and youth development structures, with expectations that reforms and strategic planning will be central to his tenure.

His election marks the beginning of a new cycle for Malian football governance, with attention now turning to how the new leadership will address the challenges and ambitions of the sport over the coming years.