Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) President, has been appointed
the President of the Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations
the most important committee in the workings of the Confederation of
African Football (CAF) aside the Executive Committee.
At the inaugural meeting
of the CAF Executive Committee, which took place yesterday in Manama,
Bahrain, on the margin of the 67th FIFA Congress starting today, Pinnick
was also named the President of the CAF Media Committee.
The
NFF supremo will have President of the Zimbabwe Football Federation, Dr.
Philip Chiyangwa as his deputy in the AFCON panel.It is the first time
in CAF’s 60-year history that a Nigerian would head the very influential
Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations – CAF’s flagship
competition which is of the same age.
Former CAF
President, Issa Hayatou chaired the AFCON panel during his tenure. In
the Media Committee, Pinnick replaces Anjorin Moucharafou, the Benin
Republic FA boss, whom he pummeled at the CAF polls in Ethiopia in March
to become an Executive Committee member.
Also yesterday, the
CAF Executive Committee named Ghana FA President, Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi as
first Vice President, with his DR Congo opposite number, Omani Constant
Selemani, named the second Vice President.
SAFA President, Dr.
Danny Jordaan, a former university lecturer and parliamentarian, who was
chief organizer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, was named chairman
of the Marketing and TV Committee, while 1988 African Player of the
Year, Kalusha Bwalya heads the Technical and Development Committee.
Sierra
Leone FA boss, Isha Johansen heads the Women’s Football Committee, just
as president of Uganda FA, Moses Magogo was co-opted into the CAF
Executive Committee for 2017 to 2021 cycle.
In the poll for the
remaining African member of the FIFA Council, Hani Abo Rida of Egypt
defeated former Camerounian FIFA Development Officer, Zelkifli Ngoufonja
by 50 votes to four.
from Guardian