Niger’s President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, has given his official endorsement to Colonel Major Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, commonly known as Pelé, for the upcoming FIFA Council elections.
The announcement was made by Niger’s Minister of Sports, Colonel Major Abdourahamane Amadou, who confirmed that he and Hima were received by President Tiani to formalize the candidacy.
The FIFA Council elections are set to take place in March 2025 in Cairo, Egypt, where representatives from across Africa will compete for a seat in world football’s highest decision-making body.
A key position in African football
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), which consists of 54 member associations, has only six seats on the FIFA Council, divided among regional zones.
West Africa, split into two sub-regions—UFOA A and UFOA B—will be allocated limited representation, making the competition for a position highly contested.
Hima, currently the President of the Niger Football Federation (Fenifoot), has played an influential role in the country’s football administration.
His bid for a seat on the FIFA Council represents an opportunity for Niger to gain stronger representation on the global football stage.
Strong political and institutional support
The backing of President Tiani is expected to boost Hima’s chances of securing a place within FIFA’s governing body.
Political support often plays a significant role in African football elections, and Niger’s leadership has now made clear its commitment to advancing its influence in international football affairs.
Hima’s experience and leadership within Fenifoot have positioned him as a strong candidate, but the upcoming elections in Cairo will be fiercely competitive, with other nations in West Africa also vying for the limited FIFA Council spots.
Niger’s growing role in global football
Securing a seat on the FIFA Council would mark a major milestone for Niger, a country that has been steadily developing its football infrastructure and presence in international competitions.
If successful, Hima would be expected to advocate for greater support for African football development and ensure that Niger and the West African region have a stronger voice in FIFA’s decision-making processes.
With just a year until the elections, the coming months will be crucial as Hima navigates the political landscape of African football in his bid for a historic appointment.
