Amaju Pinnick Loses Re-Election Into FIFA Council By Single Vote

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick, has failed in his attempt to retain his seat on 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.

Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi secured the final available seat with 29 votes, while Amaju Pinnick finished with 28.

Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa led the polls with 49 votes, followed by Egypt’s Hani Rida and Niger’s Djibrilla Hamidou, who both secured 35 votes. Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Waberi each claimed their spots with 29 votes.

Africa holds seven seats on the FIFA Council, with CAF President Patrice Motsepe automatically occupying one, while another is reserved for a female representative.

Pinnick’s loss means his tenure on FIFA’s highest decision-making body, which began in 2021, has come to an end.

In the women’s category, Comoros’ Kanizat Ibrahim won the seat with 30 votes, defeating Lydia Nsekera (13 votes) and Isha Johansen (7 votes).

Elected FIFA Council Members:

• Fouzi Lekjaa (49 votes)
• Hani Abou Ridha (35 votes)
• Djibrilla Hima (35 votes)
• Ahmed Yahya (29 votes)
• Souleiman Waberi (29 votes)
• Kanizat Ibrahim (30 votes) – Women’s seat

Candidates Who Missed Out:

• Amaju Pinnick (28 votes)
• Andrew Kamanga (19 votes)
• Yacine Diallo (18 votes)
• Augustin Senghor (13 votes)
• Mathurin de Chacus (withdrew from the race)

Pinnick, who first joined the FIFA Council in March 2021 during the CAF General Assembly in Morocco, is the third Nigerian to have held the position, following in the footsteps of late Etubom Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu.

Meanwhile, CAF President Patrice Motsepe secured a second term unopposed, extending his leadership of African football for another four years.