Amaju Pinnick Falls Short in FIFA Council Re-Election by One Vote

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, has failed in his bid to retain his seat on the FIFA Council, losing by just one vote at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Extraordinary Congress in Cairo on Wednesday.

Tight Race for FIFA Council Seats

Pinnick secured 28 votes, falling one short of the 29 votes received by Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) and Souleiman Waberi (Djibouti), who claimed the final available seats. Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa led the election with 49 votes, while Egypt’s Hany Abou Rida and Niger’s Djibrilla Hima Hamidou each secured 35 votes.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe was re-elected unopposed, automatically securing his seat on the FIFA Council. Meanwhile, Comoros’ Kanizat Ibrahim won the women’s seat with 30 votes, defeating Lydia Nsekera (13 votes) and Isha Johansen (7 votes).

Full FIFA Council Election Results

Elected Members:

• Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) – 49 votes
• Hany Abou Rida (Egypt) – 35 votes
• Djibrilla Hima Hamidou (Niger) – 35 votes
• Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania) – 29 votes
• Souleiman Waberi (Djibouti) – 29 votes
• Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros) – 30 votes (women’s seat)

Candidates Who Missed Out:

• Amaju Pinnick (Nigeria) – 28 votes
• Andrew Kamanga (Zambia) – 19 votes
• Yacine Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire) – 18 votes
• Augustin Senghor (Senegal) – 13 votes
• Mathurin de Chacus (Benin) – withdrew before voting

Pinnick’s FIFA Tenure Ends

Pinnick was first elected to the FIFA Council in 2021 during CAF’s Ordinary General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco. He was only the third Nigerian to hold the prestigious position, following in the footsteps of Etubom Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu.