CECAFA and COSAFA have made a significant move in preparation for the upcoming FIFA Council elections scheduled for April 2025. The two regional football organizations Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) and the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) have entered into a formal agreement to support each other’s candidates. This alliance is strategically aimed at strengthening the representation of both regions within FIFA’s decision-making body.
In a joint statement, both CECAFA and COSAFA confirmed their commitment to backing each other’s candidates as they compete for positions on the FIFA Council. This agreement is seen as a way to create a united front and leverage the collective voting power of both regions in the upcoming elections. Together, CECAFA and COSAFA represent 25 of the member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), with 14 associations from COSAFA and 11 from CECAFA.
The two regions’ collaborative support for their candidates comes at a crucial time. The FIFA Council elections are a major event in the football calendar, as they determine the leadership that will shape the future of world football. The FIFA Council is the main governing body of FIFA between Congress sessions, consisting of 37 members. These members include one President elected by the FIFA Congress, eight vice presidents, and 28 members elected by the various confederations and member associations.
CECAFA has nominated Souleiman Hassan Waberi, the President of the Djibouti Football Federation (DFF), as its sole candidate for the FIFA Council. Waberi has been deemed eligible to contest the elections by FIFA’s Review Committee, signaling his readiness to represent East and Central Africa within the FIFA Council.
Meanwhile, COSAFA is putting its full support behind Andrew Kamanga, the President of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), as its candidate. Kamanga is seeking one of the five FIFA Council positions allocated to the CAF members, which makes his candidacy even more crucial for the region.
Both Waberi and Kamanga are now preparing to campaign ahead of the FIFA Council elections in Belgrade, which will take place during the 49th UEFA Congress on April 3, 2025. Their candidacies represent an important opportunity for both regions to ensure their interests are well represented at the highest levels of global football governance.
By coming together, CECAFA and COSAFA hope to not only enhance their chances of securing seats on the FIFA Council but also to strengthen their influence in shaping the future of football. The collaboration between the two regional bodies emphasizes the importance of unity in achieving broader goals within the global football ecosystem. If successful, both Waberi and Kamanga would provide a strong voice for the African regions of East, Central, and Southern Africa within FIFA, ensuring that their views are considered when key decisions are made that affect the future of the sport worldwide.
This strategic move also signals a growing trend among football confederations to consolidate efforts in order to increase their representation and influence within FIFA’s corridors of power. By combining their resources and collective support, CECAFA and COSAFA are not just looking to secure seats for their respective candidates, but are also positioning themselves as key players in the governance of international football.
