Football enthusiasts in Abuja say the election of Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad and Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick will further promote football in the country and on the continent.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahmad, the new President of Madagascar’s Football Federation on Thursday, ended the 29-year reign of Issa Hayatou as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Ahmad, who is also the Deputy Senate President of the Indian Ocean Island, defeated the 71-year old Hayatou by 34 votes to 20 to stall the Cameroonian’s eight term bid.
Similarly, Amaju Pinnick, the Nigeria Football Federation President was elected into the Executive Committee of CAF defeating Moucharafou Anjorin of Benin Republic by 32 votes to 17.
Some football enthusiasts, who spoke to NAN, noted that it was obvious African football needed a change at the helm, adding that when change comes, not even a moving train could stop it.
Musa Talle, the Chairman, FCT Football Association said that there was the need for a new face at the helm of African football and a need to realign ourselves with the change that was taking place in football globally.
“By realigning ourselves and keying into the change mantra, it will eventually impact positively on our continent and Nigeria football in particular.
“If we had done otherwise, it means Africa and Nigeria would have been left behind.
“The change swept into FIFA and now it has come to Africa and I am excited about it,’’ he said.
Talle also congratulated Pinnick for winning a seat in the CAF Executive committee, adding that it was a shame that a country of more than 150 million people had no representative in CAF for a long time.
“Apart from the late Etubom Oyo and Amos Adamu who represented us in the past we have not had anybody representing us for a long while.
“Thankfully, a Nigerian is now there. So, let the politics continue,’’ he said.
Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT chapter said Hayatou was not transparent in his dealings as he monopolised the system for a very long time and made CAF a one-man business.
“We had a dictator running our football. No one could say a word, he was Lord.
“Africa’s football was scuffled and so it was only a matter of time for change to take place.
“This is a great era for football in Africa,’’ he said.
He, however, raised concerns about the new CAF president being controlled by the football chiefs who voted him into office.
“My fear is that Ahmad Ahmad do not turn out to be a chicken, that’s what I am hoping for because now that these men have assisted him to win the elections, I hope they won’t start controlling him.’’
He also noted that Pinnick’s victory was indeed a victory for the country’s football, adding that Nigeria would now take its rightful place as the giant of African football.
“Pinnick’s victory is good for Nigeria. I only hope he can relinquish his NFF portfolio and hand it over to Shehu Dikko, so he can focus more on CAF.
“Hopefully, we will begin to see more positive results as far as Nigeria football is concerned on the continent,’’ he said.
Patrick Nwaogwu, the Vice Chairman of FCT Football Association said the result was a reflection of the will and general outcry of the people of Africa.
Nwaogwu said with the change comes new possibilities and new ways of doing things, adding that people were fed up with the undemocratic nature of the old regime.
“The wind of change is blowing everywhere. It is wonderful news for African football. I hope this new team of CAF will be ready to revolutionise the game in the continent.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,’’ he said.
Nwaogwu also congratulated Pinnick for his victory, adding: “I am sure his opponent Anjorin Moucharafou of Benin must now know that there is no ‘small boy’ anymore in African football’’.
“The era of God fatherism and old powerful men running African football is now over.
“I just finished kindergarten when Hayatou became CAF president. Thank God he is now gone for good,’’ he said.
Akintunde Bada, a football pundit said the opportunity had come for Nigeria to lobby and have a say in the politics of African football.
“You only need to observe what has been happening in CAF and FIFA all along to know that Nigeria had been neglected and relegated to the background for quite a long time.
“For instance, our referees have only been just good enough for the Nigerian league.
“There was nobody to help push them up because in everything you do, there is an element of politics, that’s the truth.
“So, Nigeria has not been able to lobby for itself up there. We have not been able to raise the level of football as it should be.
“But right now, we have the opportunity to make things right,’’ he said. (NAN)
