Former Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, president Amaju Melvin Pinnick has failed in his bid for re-election to the FIFA Council.

Pinnick, who had hoped to secure another term, received 28 votes—just one shy of the 29 votes needed to retain his position.

The election, held during the Confederation of African Football, CAF, General Assembly in Cairo, saw Djibouti’s Souleiman Hassan Waberi clinch the fifth and final spot with 29 votes, narrowly edging out Pinnick.

Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa led the election with a resounding 49 votes, followed by Egypt’s Hani Abou Rida and Niger’s Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, who each earned 35 votes.

Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya also secured a spot with 29 votes. Waberi rounded out the final elected candidates, making it to the FIFA Council alongside these top vote-getters.

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Pinnick’s loss marks a significant setback in his once-prominent role in African football administration.

Having been a key figure in the sport and a member of FIFA’s decision-making body since 2021, Pinnick’s defeat signals the end of his tenure on the global stage for now.

In the women’s category, Kanizat Ibrahim of Comoros emerged victorious with 30 votes, earning a spot on the FIFA Council.

Final Voting Results:

– Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco): 49 votes – elected
– Hani Abou Rida (Egypt): 35 votes – elected
– Djibrilla Hima Hamidou (Niger): 35 votes – elected
– Ahmed Yahya (Mauritania): 29 votes – elected
– Souleiman Waberi (Djibouti): 29 votes – elected
– Amaju Pinnick (Nigeria): 28 votes
– Andrew Kamanga (Zambia): 19 votes
– Yacine Diallo (Guinea): 18 votes
– Augustin Senghor (Senegal): 13 votes
– Mathurin de Chacus (Benin): Pulled out

Women’s Election Results:

– Kanizat Ibrahim (Comoros): 30 votes – elected
– Lydia Nsekera (Burundi): 13 votes
– Isha Johansen (Sierra Leone): 7 votes

Crediblenewsng.com