Former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, has lost his bid for re-election into the FIFA Council, missing out by just a single vote.
The election took place on Wednesday during the Confederation of African Football (CAF) General Assembly in Cairo, Egypt. Pinnick secured 28 votes, falling short of the 29 votes received by Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi, who claimed the last available seat.
Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa led the election with 49 votes, while Egypt’s Hani Rida and Niger’s Djibrilla Hamidou each garnered 35 votes. Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Waberi also secured their spots with 29 votes apiece.
The result is a setback for Pinnick, who joined the FIFA Council in 2021 and was hoping to extend his tenure in the global football body’s highest decision-making group.
In the women’s category, Kanizat Ibrahim from Comoros won the seat with 30 votes, defeating Lydia Nsekera, who received 13 votes, and Isha Johansen, who had 7 votes.
Reacting to the outcome, Pinnick expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the future. “It’s a tough result, but I am grateful for the support I received. Football remains my passion, and I will continue to serve the sport in any capacity,” he said.
The FIFA Council plays a crucial role in shaping global football policies and decisions, making the election fiercely contested among African football leaders.
Fans and stakeholders have shared mixed reactions to Pinnick’s loss, with some praising his efforts in representing Nigeria on the global stage, while others urged him to focus on developing local football.
The CAF General Assembly also emphasized the need for unity and stronger leadership within African football to push for greater representation in global football governance.
