The member associations of the Council for East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) have united in their support for Hassan Waberi Souleiman, the current CAF vice president, as he campaigns for a seat on the FIFA Council.
Unanimous Support at CECAFA General Assembly
The decision to back Mr. Waberi was made during the recent CECAFA Ordinary General Assembly held in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The assembly, attended by representatives from the 11 member associations, unanimously approved the agenda that solidifies Waberi as the sole candidate from the CECAFA region.
Call for Regional Solidarity
The assembly also extended a request to other regional football unions in Africa to support Mr. Waberi’s candidacy, emphasizing the importance of his representation for East Africa and beyond in the upcoming FIFA Council elections scheduled for March 12, 2025, in Egypt.
Endorsements from Key Officials
Isayas Jira Bosho, the president of the Ethiopian Football Federation, expressed confidence in Mr. Waberi’s capabilities, stating, “Mr. Waberi is the sole candidate for the CECAFA region; he has all our backing to secure the FIFA Council seat.” CECAFA President Wallace Karia echoed this sentiment, reaffirming the region’s commitment to support Waberi.
Furthermore, Ali Abdi Mohamed, president of the Somali Football Federation, highlighted Waberi’s significant contributions to regional football and expressed expectations for greater achievements if he secures the FIFA Council position.
Upcoming CECAFA Competitions
In addition to the support for Waberi, the General Assembly approved several development programs and competitions to be organized in 2025. Noteworthy events include the return of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after a five-year hiatus and the CECAFA Kagame Club Cup, which will be hosted by Tanzania.
For the first time, CECAFA will also organize a beach soccer tournament in Kenya from late May to early June 2025. Additional competitions, such as the women’s champions league and various tournaments for boys and girls, were also approved.
Focus on Development and Education
CECAFA’s commitment to development includes organizing educational seminars on media training, technical study group courses, a license B coaching course for women, and a VAR course. The congress urged countries interested in hosting these events to submit their bidding documents with government guarantees.
The recent assembly not only marked a significant endorsement for Hassan Waberi but also showcased CECAFA’s unified vision for the future of football in the region.
