CAF election day draws near
There have been several twists and controversial events in the wake of African football before the Confederation of African Football (CAF) elections.
Namibia Football Association (NFA) president Frans Mbidi believes that avoiding political football brawls is crucial when one is aiming for CAF and FIFA positions.
Mbidi says that this is the reason he avoids getting into confrontations with people in both local and global football.
The Cosafa vice-president feels that his success in several elections on the African continent came from the fact that he is not on social media platforms.
Danny Jordaan of South Africa, Zambia's Kalusha Bwalya all recently withdrew from the race to gain a place on FIFA's ruling council.
The decision to withdraw by the southern African football leaders raised questions and speculation about what had triggered their moves.
Speaking in an exclusive interview Mbidi said: “I do not have the real reasons why people are withdrawing from the FIFA council race.
“My suspicion is that people fear the FIFA ethics committee since they were facing integrity checks before congress.
“The integrity checks will work against you if you have been under certain investigations for corruption.
“These checks also include having an observation about your social life. For example, you must not have brawls in the media and all that.”
Mbidi however maintained that it is just his speculation on why people have been withdrawing from the FIFA council race.
He urged all football leaders to avoid getting into scandals as this could have an impact on their chances of gaining higher positions on FIFA and CAF structures.
“You never know who is watching you and therefore it is important to stay clean because people will use it against you in the future,” he said.The elections
Mbidi further reiterated his confidence on gaining a position on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at their elections.
The CAF presidential and executive committee elections will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 16 March.
Mbidi is standing for the CAF southern zone executive committee elections.
There are two vacancies, but one position will be reserved for a female candidate, while four male candidates will compete for the other vacancy.
With just three days to go before the biggest African football continental elections takes place, Mbidi remains confident of winning a seat on the committee.
“I do believe I have done well during my campaign because I travelled around the continent to meet people who can vote for me.
“I also believe that with Cosafa having my back and supporting me, I am almost certain to win a position,” Mbidi said.
The NFA president will go up against Danny Jordaan (South Africa), Rui Eduardo Da Costa (Angola) and Suketu Partel (Seychelles).
The presidential elections will see long-serving CAF president Issa Hayatou competing against Madagascar's Ahmad.
Mbidi already noted last month that Cosafa will be behind the southern African candidate at the elections.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Mbidi says that this is the reason he avoids getting into confrontations with people in both local and global football.
The Cosafa vice-president feels that his success in several elections on the African continent came from the fact that he is not on social media platforms.
Danny Jordaan of South Africa, Zambia's Kalusha Bwalya all recently withdrew from the race to gain a place on FIFA's ruling council.
The decision to withdraw by the southern African football leaders raised questions and speculation about what had triggered their moves.
Speaking in an exclusive interview Mbidi said: “I do not have the real reasons why people are withdrawing from the FIFA council race.
“My suspicion is that people fear the FIFA ethics committee since they were facing integrity checks before congress.
“The integrity checks will work against you if you have been under certain investigations for corruption.
“These checks also include having an observation about your social life. For example, you must not have brawls in the media and all that.”
Mbidi however maintained that it is just his speculation on why people have been withdrawing from the FIFA council race.
He urged all football leaders to avoid getting into scandals as this could have an impact on their chances of gaining higher positions on FIFA and CAF structures.
“You never know who is watching you and therefore it is important to stay clean because people will use it against you in the future,” he said.The elections
Mbidi further reiterated his confidence on gaining a position on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at their elections.
The CAF presidential and executive committee elections will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 16 March.
Mbidi is standing for the CAF southern zone executive committee elections.
There are two vacancies, but one position will be reserved for a female candidate, while four male candidates will compete for the other vacancy.
With just three days to go before the biggest African football continental elections takes place, Mbidi remains confident of winning a seat on the committee.
“I do believe I have done well during my campaign because I travelled around the continent to meet people who can vote for me.
“I also believe that with Cosafa having my back and supporting me, I am almost certain to win a position,” Mbidi said.
The NFA president will go up against Danny Jordaan (South Africa), Rui Eduardo Da Costa (Angola) and Suketu Partel (Seychelles).
The presidential elections will see long-serving CAF president Issa Hayatou competing against Madagascar's Ahmad.
Mbidi already noted last month that Cosafa will be behind the southern African candidate at the elections.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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