Djibouti, Djibouti: Eritrea’s football chief Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam has been elected President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), taking charge of the regional football body for the next four years.
Weldehaimanot, who also serves as President of the Eritrea National Football Federation, was elected unopposed during the CECAFA Elective General Assembly held on Saturday, February 7, at the Djibouti Palace Kempinski.
The assembly was attended by all 11 CECAFA member associations and was witnessed by representatives from FIFA, CAF, and other regional football stakeholders.
The unopposed election followed the withdrawal of other declared contenders, including Moses Hassim Magogo, President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations, and Alexandre Muyenge, President of the Burundi Football Federation.
Magogo had earlier signalled his intention to contest for the CECAFA presidency but later pulled out of the race, paving the way for consensus around Weldehaimanot’s candidature.
Alongside Weldehaimanot, the assembly elected a new executive committee to steer football development in East and Central Africa. These include Vice President: Ali Abdi Mohamed, President of the Somali Football Federation, Executive Members: Francis Amin Michael, South Sudan Football Federation, Shema Ngoga Fabrice, Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA).
Weldehaimanot’s election ushers in a new leadership phase for CECAFA, a region that has increasingly gained prominence through continental club competitions, youth tournaments and national team performances.
Observers say his unopposed rise reflects a push for stability and unity within the region’s football leadership, at a time when CECAFA faces pressure to improve governance standards, competition structures and commercial growth.
His immediate task will be to strengthen regional tournaments, harmonise football calendars, and deepen collaboration with CAF and FIFA as East and Central African football continues to seek greater continental influence.
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