The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president, Andrew Kamanga, has failed in his bid for a seat on the prestigious FIFA Council after polling just 19 votes during the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly held in Cairo on Wednesday. Kamanga’s defeat in this contest marks a significant setback as he now turns his attention to the upcoming FAZ elections.
Kamanga, who has been at the helm of Zambian football since 2016 and was re-elected in 2021, will face a tough challenge in the March 29 FAZ elections. The incumbent president is being contested by a number of prominent figures, including FAZ FC MUZA owner Keith Mweemba, his former General Secretary Adrian Kashala, former FAZ Vice President Emmanuel Munaile, and FAZ executive member Francis Hafwiti.
The election results for the FIFA Council seat saw Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa leading the way with 49 votes, followed by Egypt’s Hani Abou Rida and Djibrilla Hima Hamidou of Niger, both of whom secured 35 votes. Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania and Souleiman Waberi each garnered 29 votes, while Kamanga’s 19 votes placed him outside the top contenders.
Other key names in the race included Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick, who collected 28 votes, and Yacine Diallo, who finished with 18 votes. Augustin Senghor received 13 votes, while Mathurin de Chacus withdrew from the contest prior to the vote.
Meanwhile, in other CAF-related elections, Dr. Patrice Motsepe was re-elected unopposed as the CAF President for a term extending until 2029, solidifying his leadership within African football.
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