Galadima, Others Fight For FIFA Seats

Nigeria’s Ibrahim Galadima is one of six persons contesting for two seats on the FIFA Executive Committee at the 33rd Ordinary Congress of the Confederation of African Football holding tomorrow in Khartoum, Sudan.

The 59–year old former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF is considered one of the favourites among the contestants from the 53 National Associations that will vote for the vacant seats.

Reports from the NFF secretariat in Abuja say a powerful Nigeria delegation and campaign team, led by Sports Minister, Professor Taoheed Adedoja has been working hard to ensure that other federations vote the Nigerian representative for the FIFA position.

Alhaji Galadima spent four years as chairman of the apex football body in Nigeria between 2002 and 2006, when his administration failed to qualify the Super Eagles for Germany 2006 World Cup.

President of the Ivorian Football Federation, Jacques Anouma, who has been holding one of the seats for the past four years, as well as Algerian FA boss Mohamed Raouraoua, Zambian FA President Kalusha Bwalya and Seychelles chieftain Suketu Patel are also contesting in tomorrow’s congress.

South Africa’s Danny Jordaan, chief organizer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals staged by his country, is however considered as a front-runner in the race for the two persons to join CAF President Issa Hayatou and Egypt’s Hani Abou Rida as Africa’s contribution to the 24-man panel that runs world football in Zurich.

Should Galadima makes it to the FIFA panel, he would serve as a replacement for his compatriot, Dr. Amos Adamu, whose tenure has run out and who is ineligible to contest after losing his case with the FIFA Appeal Committee over indiction for vote-for-sale allegations.

There will also be elections into the CAF Executive Committee, with Ghanaian FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi the front-man for Zone  B West, following the withdrawal of former Niger FA President Hima Souley and ex-Togo FA boss Tata Avlessi.

There will also be elections of 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents of CAF, with the retirements of General Memene and Mr. Oliphant.

By Tunde Oyedele