February 3 – In the latest power play for control of African football, an unsavoury war of words has broken out between two federations presidents over alleged meddling by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Zimbabwe’s Philip Chayangwa has condemned comments made by Guinea Bissau’s Opes Manuel Nascimento who accused Infantino of trying to influence the outcome of the Confederation of African Football presidential election on March 16 when veteran powerbroker Issa Hayatou faces a challenge from Ahmad Ahmad (sic) of Madagascar.
Perhaps mindful of the fact that Africa largely backed Infantino for FIFA president after receiving promises of increased funding, Chayangwa, who is also head of the 14-strong Council of Southern Africa Football Associations, retorted: “I listened to an interview by Mr. Nascimento, president of the Guinea Bissau football association where he threw decorum, caution and dignity into the air by not only casting aspertions but directly throwing tantrums on the personality of the symbol of global football Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA.”
“His action is not only regrettable but outright condemnable. The general opinion is that Mr Infantino has not only brought back greater respect, recognition and respectability to the Continent of Africa by the appointment of Fatma Samoura ….as general secretary of FIFA, but has been consistent with his programmes and reforms.”
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