Football
Andrew Oryada, Special to ESPN 5y

Mugisha backs Nyamilandu for Fifa Council

Justus Mugisha, the Vice President of Ugandan FA, has explained why he believes Walter Nyamilandu will represent Africa effectively following his election to the FIFA Council.

The Malawi FA President beat South Africa's Danny Jordaan by 35 votes to 18 during the CAF Extraordinary Assembly in Shark El Sheikh on September 30 to take his place as the FIFA Council member for Africa's Anglophone region.

"Nyamilandu is a good pick for FIFA Council," Mugisha told KweséESPN. "He is young, energetic, and also been an FA President for over 10 years with experience of running football matters.

"When our earlier candidate Leodegar Tenga failed to make it to the second round of the voting, we decided Nyamilandu was the best choice because we believe he has what it takes and has management experience as well," added Mugisha, who cast the vote on behalf of Uganda.

Frans Mbidi, the President of the Namibia Football Association, also backed Nyamilandu.

"We have worked with Walter in the COSAFA region for some time, and I am certain he is a hard worker and the kind of person who says out his mind," Mbidi began. "I think he will represent us well at the FIFA Council."

Even Seychelles FA boss Elvis Chetty, who had initially stood against Nyamilandu, was magnanimous in defeat.

"I had to withdraw because of personal issues, but given the fact that Nyamilandu was elected, I believe he will carry the mantle well enough because he has football management experience," he told KweséESPN.

Nyamilandu has vowed not just to occupy a seat at the FIFA Council, but to ensure that he works hard for Africa's interests.

"I bring a lot of experience having been a former player, an FA President for 14 years and also a corporate executive," he told KweséESPN. "I am determined to help FIFA President Gianni Infantino to accomplish some of his objectives in-line with reforms.

"Infantino must be surrounded by effective leaders who will help him accomplish several things in football and also look at football as a business."

The position for the FIFA Council member for the Anglophone region fell vacant after former Ghana FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi stepped down after allegations of bribery and corruption.

The other members of the FIFA Council from Africa are: Ahmad Ahmad (CAF President), Camara Almany Kabele (Guinea), Abo Rida Hany (Egypt), Lydia Nsekera (Burundi), Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia), Constant Omari (DR Congo).

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