Historic Shift in African Football Leadership as Arab and Francophone Nations Dominate FIFA Council Elections

By Awambeng Fuh 

Football Writer, kick442.com-Cameroon

In a shocking turn of events, the recent FIFA Council elections in Cairo have marked a significant shift in power dynamics within African football. For the first time in decades, no Anglophone African representative was elected to the FIFA Council, paving the way for Arab and Francophone nations to take the reins.

Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa, a long-time favorite, secured a seat with overwhelming support, garnering 49 votes. His growing influence, backed by Morocco’s massive football investments and strong ties with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, made his victory almost inevitable ¹.

Other successful candidates included Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya, Djibouti’s Souleiman Hassan Waberi, Egyptian football official Hani Abou Rida, and Niger’s Djibrilla Hima Hamidou. Yahya and Waberi polled 29 votes each, while Abou Rida and Hamidou secured 35 votes each.

This new leadership landscape raises important questions about the future of African football, particularly for Anglophone nations like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. The absence of strong voices like Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick may impact policy decisions affecting English-speaking African countries.

As African football navigates this new era, the Anglophone camp will need to regroup and strategize for future elections. The power shift to Arab and Francophone nations will undoubtedly influence continental policies and development, and it remains to be seen how this will play out.