Andrew Kamanga’s failure to secure a seat on the FIFA Council is a major setback both to his own ambitions and Zambia’s influence in global football administration.
The intense competition, especially from associated persons like Fouzi Lekjaa and Amaju Pinnick, made it a challenging feat.
Apart from this setback, Kamanga also faces a sterner battle at home where political and opposition interests within Zambia’s football hierarchy could jeopardize his presidency of FAZ.
In order to continue as a key figure in African football, he will have to consolidate local support while keeping an eye on future CAF and FIFA opportunities.
Kamanga’s inability to secure a FIFA Council position, combined with his poor influence in CAF, renders him vulnerable.
Lacking a prime international role, he loses ground at home and on the continent.
His domestic critics, particularly those sympathetic to the Zambian government, now have more ammunition to pressure for his removal from FAZ.
With elections looming and political pressure being brought to bear, his leadership is under serious threat.
If he is unable to quickly shore up alliances and prove his value to African football, his grip on power will further weaken.
His rivals will likely take the initiative to strike against him, citing his international failure as proof that he lacks the influence to restore Zambian football.
Meanwhile, Kamanga is not a man who will walk quietly into the night—his likely response will be to fight back, mobilize his support base, and try and hang on.
It all depends on how much backing he retains within FAZ and whether external political forces up their attack on him.
If Zambia’s government is firmly behind his opposition, his struggle to stay on in office could be a long, hard slog.
