FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in his bid for re-election. The Swiss has been in Egypt this week where he met the continent's football chiefs and was told he has their full favor.
CAF held the extraordinary meeting particularly for electing a member for the FIFA Council's Anglophone seat. After two rounds of voting, 35 associations of the General Assembly voted for Malawi's Walter Nyamilandu-Manda. But the man who won the most votes today, however, was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, after CAF members endorsed his candidacy for president in the 2019 FIFA elections.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivers a speech during the CAF General Assembly meeting in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh on September 30, 2018. /VCG Photo
"I am very touched and very grateful, to CAF and to all the African associations who expressed their support for my candidature. It's very important to know that we can continue to work together," Infantino said. "We all know about the strength of African football, the passion the talent that exists. And we all know what we need to do to bring African football forward."
"It's a demonstration of confidence that Africa has shown to Infantino. Clearly he's on an agenda to develop football. With the introduction of FIFA Forward which he has explained, that is the basis for investment as opposed to giving money," Zambia F.A. President Andrew Kamanga said.
Two days before the congress began, CAF had doubts on Cameron's readiness to host the continent's first 24-team African Cup of nations next year. Egypt used the opportunity to make a move on Sunday in front of Africa's football decision makers, indirectly offering to host the competition.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Ahmad Ahmad speaks during the CAF General Assembly meeting in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh on September 30, 2018. /VCG Photo
"Egypt is very rich with its youth and sports facilities. We host numerous international sports events all year long. Egyptian sports associations are always keen to organize in the best technical, managerial and modern way. We will always welcome hosting any CAF event, at any time. I stress again, at any time," Egyptian Minister for Sports Ashraf Sobhy said.
The General Assembly confirmed that the rights for the Qatar 2020 World Cup will be kept for each national association to manage. Africa's football leaders have also vowed to continue work on finding solutions to Africa's dismal performance in the 2018 Russia World Cup.
"CAF's Extraordinary General Assembly has concluded without any decisions taken in many crucial football files. But there is one thing they know for sure. That is most of its members will be supporting Gianni Infantino for the 2019 FIFA election.