FIFA Council Member Amaju Pinnick has reaffirmed that his bid for a second term in the world football governing body is not a “do or die affair.” With the FIFA Council elections set to take place in Cairo, Egypt, in just 12 days, Pinnick remains one of the leading contenders among the 10 candidates vying for five available seats allocated to Africa.
Speaking on SuperSport’s African Soccer programme in Johannesburg, South Africa, Pinnick emphasized that his pursuit of re-election is driven by a desire to consolidate on the achievements made during his first tenure.
“Trust me, my quest for a second term in the FIFA Council is not a do-or-die affair. I have my businesses and I am not idle for a moment. I just want to ensure that the bridges built in the first term, the contacts made, are well utilized for the greater good of global football,” Pinnick stated.
Why Pinnick Wants a Second Term
Pinnick, a two-term former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has played a key role in shaping FIFA’s policies since joining the Council. He highlighted how the Gianni Infantino-led FIFA administration has transformed the global football body, ensuring financial stability, integrity, and international recognition.
“When Infantino took over 10 years ago, FIFA was not in the best shape. But he has successfully repositioned the Council. Now, it is very healthy in terms of finance, global respect, and recognition,” he said.
Pinnick also clarified that FIFA Council members work collectively rather than individually, stressing that decisions are made as a unit, not by personal influence.
“Being a FIFA Council member does not mean one can claim personal credit for decisions. It is not about Amaju Pinnick, Patrice Motsepe, Fouzi Lekjaa, or Hany Abou Rida. No, we do things collectively. The President listens to various opinions before making decisions. That is how the FIFA Council operates—it is about the collective. And of course, there is the Congress, which is the most powerful organ,” he explained.
Key Contributions to FIFA
Pinnick pointed to major decisions made by the FIFA Council during his tenure, including:
- Changes to the World Cup format, ensuring increased participation and better organization.
- The expansion of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which saw remarkable success in Australia and New Zealand.
- Improved global standing and financial strength of FIFA, which has boosted investments in football development.
“The World Cup in Qatar and the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand were phenomenal. These are some of the landmark moments we have achieved in recent years,” he noted.
On the topic of Africa’s reduced slots for the expanded FIFA Women’s World Cup, Pinnick defended the decision, stating that it was made after extensive consultations.
“If there was a need to increase Africa’s slots to six or seven, the FIFA Council, led by Gianni Infantino with CAF President Patrice Motsepe as one of the Vice Presidents, would have done so,” he asserted.
The Race for FIFA Council Seats
Pinnick faces tough competition in the upcoming election, as nine other candidates are vying for the five available spots on the FIFA Council. Among his rivals are:
- Hany Abou Rida (Egypt) – Seeking re-election.
- Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) – Also seeking re-election.
- Yahia Ahmed (Mauritania)
- Souleiman Waberi (Djibouti)
- Idriss Dialli (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Mathurin Chakus (Benin Republic)
- Augustine Senghor (Senegal)
- Djibrilla Pele Hamidou (Niger Republic)
- Andrew Kamanga (Zambia)
The upcoming election will determine who will represent Africa in FIFA’s decision-making body for the next term.
Conclusion
As the FIFA Council elections draw closer, Amaju Pinnick remains confident but pragmatic about his chances. While he is keen on securing another term, he insists that his ambition is driven by a desire to contribute to the growth of global football rather than personal gain.
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With strong backing and a track record of achievements, Pinnick remains a frontrunner in the race. However, with nine other seasoned football administrators also contesting, the election in Cairo promises to be highly competitive.
