Bwalya steps down from FIFA race

Zambian football legend Kalusha Bwalya has stepped down from the FIFA Council race.Kalusha intimated that he had taken the action for peace and prosperity in African and World football.

“After a lot of soul searching, I have decided to step aside from the upcoming FIFA council member seat for the sake of peace in football,” Kalusha told supersport.com.

“I want to take this opportunity to wish both Kwesi Nyantakyi and Leodegar Tenga the best in the upcoming elections as they seek to foster more relationships for Africa,” he added.

Bwalya, who is also a CAF Exco member and former FAZ President, has surprised friends and foes with his announcement.The elections are slated for March 16 in Addis Ababa where other positions will also be contested including the CAF presidency.

Meanwhile, the President of the South African Football Association, Danny Jordaan, is one of those set to contest for a top position within the structures of FIFA.

Jordaan will contest for the FIFA (Council) Executive seat in the Open Category which has three vacancies of which one has to be a female candidate. 

Other contenders in this category are Kabele Camara of Guinea and Chabur Goc of South Sudan. Lydia Nsekera of Burundi is vying for the female position.  

Africa has 7 representatives on the FIFA Council with the President of CAF being an automatic Vice-President of the world governing football body. There is a seat that is solely reserved for a female candidate and a representative each from English speaking zone, French and combined Arab/Portuguese/Spanish.