Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has reacted with grace and gratitude after narrowly missing out on re-election to the prestigious FIFA Council.
Despite a vigorous campaign that took him to over 30 countries, Pinnick fell short by just one vote at the Confederation of African Football General Assembly held in Cairo on Wednesday.
Lapalabras had reported earlier on Wednesday that Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi secured the last available seat with 29 votes, edging out Pinnick, who polled 28.
The tight race underscored the fierce political dynamics at play in football governance.
Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa led the election with 49 votes, while Egypt’s Hani Rida and Niger’s Djibrilla Hamidou each secured 35 votes.
Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Waberi rounded out the winners with 29 votes apiece.
Reacting to the outcome, Pinnick acknowledged the complexity of football politics but remained proud of his efforts.
“Football politics is fierce, but I am proud to have fought a good fight. I campaigned hard; traveled to more than 30 countries.
“Hours before the election, I was sure of close to 40 votes. But politics happened. I am not bitter about anything, just full of gratitude to everyone who supported my push,” Pinnick stated.
His defeat marks the end of a tenure that began in 2021 when he first earned a seat on FIFA’s highest decision-making body.
Pinnick had hoped to extend his influence within global football, but the shifting tides of African football governance ultimately worked against him.
The election also saw Comoros’ Kanizat Ibrahim clinch the women’s seat with 30 votes, comfortably beating Burundi’s Lydia Nsekera (13 votes) and Liberia’s Isha Johansen (seven votes).
