By Paul Nicholson
January 15 – FIFA’s presidential lobbying has been most active in Africa this week with three contenders – Gianni Infantino, Prince bin al-Hussein and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa – all present in Kigali, Rwanda, for the West Africa Football Union meetings.
The meetings took place ahead of the opening of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and on review it looks as though the honours (read FIFA presidential votes) are going the way of Shaikh Salman.
Prince Ali, who had reportedly had a meeting request with CAF and interim FIFA president Issa Hayatou turned down, left early, heading for Antigua where the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) this weekend is hosting its federations and FIFA presidential candidates.
Salman and Tokyo Sexwale will be absent from the CFU get together. Sexwale was also surprisingly absent from Kigali.
Prince Ali will not only miss the opening of the CHAN tournament but he also missed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CAF and his own Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Hayatou and Salman were on hand to do the official honours and launch the co-operation which was agreed in principle several months ago.
The MoU is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two confederations and provides a framework for exchanges on multiple levels including the sharing of information, experience, initiating high level competitions, and holding joint technical development programmes. Areas identified include coaching, refereeing, youth football, women’s football, integrity, administration, marketing, media and Innovative technologies.
The MoU will be valid for four years and is open to renewal.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734884416labto1734884416ofdlr1734884416owedi1734884416sni@n1734884416osloh1734884416cin.l1734884416uap1734884416