Nigeria’s Pinnick loses FIFA Council seat by one vote in Cairo

Emmanuel Kwada

Nigeria’s Amaju Melvin Pinnick lost his bid to retain his seat on the FIFA Council by the narrowest of margins—one vote—at the 14th Extraordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) held on Friday in Cairo.

Newly elected official into FIFA Council – CAF (2025-2029). Credit: X

The former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), a key figure in African football governance, secured 28 votes, just short of the 29 won by Djibouti’s Souleiman Hassan Waberi, who claimed the fifth and final spot among Africa’s elected male representatives.

The Marriott Mena House, set against the backdrop of the iconic Pyramids of Giza, buzzed with anticipation as delegates from CAF’s 54 Member Associations cast their ballots.

For Pinnick, a seasoned administrator known for his charisma and ambition, the outcome was a bitter pill to swallow.

“It’s not a do-or-die affair,” he had said weeks earlier on SuperSport’s African Soccer program, downplaying the stakes of his re-election bid.

He was first elected to the FIFA Council at the 43rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco

Yet, missing out by a single vote was undoubtedly a tough blow for a man who had hoped to continue shaping global football from one of its most influential tables.

Pinnick’s journey to this moment began in March 2021, when he was first elected to the FIFA Council at the 43rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.

As only the third Nigerian to hold such a position—following Oyo Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu—he carried the weight of national pride and the expectations of a football-loving nation.

Amaju Melvin Pinnick with the FIFA President

His tenure as NFF president from 2014 to 2022 was marked by both triumphs and controversies, but his elevation to the FIFA Council signaled a broader stage for his vision. Today’s loss, however, ends that chapter, at least for now.

The election itself was fiercely contested, with 10 candidates vying for five available seats to represent Africa on the 37-member FIFA Council, the principal decision-making body between FIFA Congress sessions.

Pinnick’s 28 votes placed him agonizingly close

Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa led the pack with 49 votes, underscoring his influence in African football politics. Egypt’s Hany Abou Rida and Niger’s Djibrilla Hima Hamidou followed with 35 votes each, while Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya joined Waberi with 29 votes to round out the top five.

Pinnick’s 28 votes placed him agonizingly close, sparking murmurs of disbelief among the Nigerian delegation.

For those present in Cairo, the atmosphere was electric yet tense. Nigeria’s NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who arrived in the Egyptian capital on Sunday, cast the country’s vote alongside General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, and Director-General Bukola Olopade.

I have my businesses and a full schedule

The Nigerian government had thrown its weight behind Pinnick’s candidacy in July 2024, with President Bola Tinubu personally endorsing his bid—a rare display of unity between sport and state. Yet, despite this backing, the numbers didn’t align in Pinnick’s favor.

On social media, reactions poured in.

One user, @Agbeti, quipped, “Amaju is on his way back to his farm,” a tongue-in-cheek nod to his life beyond football. @_MightyGeorge dubbed it the “END OF AN ERA,” listing the vote tallies with a tone of finality. Another, @genakhena, hinted at behind-the-scenes politics, suggesting that a voided vote might have tipped the scales and that preference for serving CAF chairmen or presidents could have undone Pinnick’s campaign.

These sentiments underscored the human stakes of the day—disappointment mixed with speculation and a touch of humor.

In the women’s contest, Comoros’ Kanizat Ibrahim triumphed with 30 votes, fending off challenges from Lydia Nsekera (13 votes) and incumbent Isha Johansen (7 votes).

The loss is a setback but not necessarily the end of the road

Her victory added a fresh face to Africa’s FIFA Council contingent, which now includes CAF President Patrice Motsepe, re-elected unopposed for a second term, alongside Lekjaa, Yahya, Waberi, Hamidou, Abou Rida, and Ibrahim.

For Pinnick, the loss is a setback but not necessarily the end of the road.

At 54, the Delta State native boasts a robust résumé—two terms as NFF president, a stint on the FIFA Council, and a vast network across the football world.

In his earlier SuperSport interview, he emphasized that his re-election bid was about building on progress under FIFA President Gianni Infantino, not personal glory.

“I have my businesses and a full schedule,” he said, signaling a life beyond the council chambers. Yet, for a man who once dreamed of amplifying Africa’s voice in global football, the one-vote defeat must feel like a missed penalty in stoppage time.

As the Cairo sun set over the pyramids, the CAF Congress moved forward with its agenda. But for Nigeria, the day carried a tinge of what might have been. Pinnick’s supporters back home—fans who cheered his milestones and critics who questioned his tenure—now share a collective pause.

One vote. One small tick on a ballot. In football, as in life, the margins can be razor-thin. And today, Amaju Pinnick felt the full weight of that truth.

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