Cairo – Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has fallen short in his bid for re-election to the FIFA Council, missing out by the narrowest of margins. At the Confederation of African Football (CAF) General Assembly held in Cairo on Wednesday, Pinnick secured 28 votes, just one short of the 29 received by Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi, who claimed the final available seat.
Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa emerged as the frontrunner 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 places in the council with 29 votes each.
Pinnick, who has been a member of FIFA’s decision-making body since 2021, had hoped to extend his tenure, continuing his influence within global football governance. His loss marks a significant political setback in his career, which has seen him rise through the ranks of African and international football administration.
Pinnick’s Legacy in African and Nigerian Football
During his tenure as NFF president from 2014 to 2022, Amaju Pinnick oversaw significant developments in Nigerian football. His leadership helped secure corporate sponsorship deals for the federation, improving the financial stability of Nigerian football administration. Under his watch, Nigeria’s Super Eagles qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and the Super Falcons continued their dominance in African women’s football.
Pinnick was also instrumental in strengthening Nigeria’s relationships with FIFA and CAF, which played a key role in his election to the FIFA Council in 2021. His tenure, however, was not without controversy. His administration faced criticism over financial mismanagement, unpaid player bonuses, and governance disputes within the NFF.
Despite these challenges, Pinnick remains a respected figure in African football politics. His previous role as CAF’s First Vice President and his influence in global football circles have made him one of Nigeria’s most prominent sports administrators.
Women’s FIFA Council Election Results
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Kanizat Ibrahim of Comoros emerged victorious, securing 30 votes to claim a seat in the FIFA Council. She defeated Burundi’s Lydia Nsekera, who received 13 votes, and Sierra Leone’s Isha Johansen, who managed just 7.
The election results highlight shifting power dynamics within African football governance, as new faces continue to emerge while established administrators, such as Pinnick, face increasing competition for top positions.
Although Pinnick’s bid for re-election fell short, his contributions to Nigerian and African football remain significant, and it remains to be seen whether he will seek another international football leadership role in the future.
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