By Hassan Lansana Koroma
Comoros’ Kanizat Ibrahim, the African football governing body, CAF fifth vice president has won the female quota seat, winning the vote against incumbent Council member Isha Johansen from Sierra Leone and Burundi’s Lydia Nsekera, an IOC member who previously sat on the Council.
Johansen, the former former president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), boss lost her seat during the 14th Confederation of African Football (CAF) Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo.
Despite making history in March 2021 by becoming the first West African woman elected to the FIFA Council, Johansen was unable to retain her seat in the keenly contested election.
In March 2021, Johansen secured her position on the FIFA Council by defeating Lydia Nsekera of Burundi, who had held the seat since 2013. The election, held during the CAF General Assembly in Rabat, saw Johansen receive 28 votes to Nsekera’s four, marking a significant milestone as she became the first Sierra Leonean and West African woman to join the 37-member council.
Johansen’s departure from the FIFA Council signifies a notable shift in Sierra Leone’s representation in global football governance. Her initial election was a source of national pride and served as an inspiration for increased female participation in football administration. Her exit underscores the competitive and evolving landscape of football politics, where positions are continually contested, reflecting the dynamic nature of the sport’s governance. Throughout her tenure, Johansen has been an advocate for integrity, good governance, and the promotion of women’s football. Her leadership in Sierra Leone’s football scene, coupled with her role on the FIFA Council, has contributed to raising awareness about the importance of female representation in sports administration. While she no longer holds a seat on the FIFA Council, her influence and contributions to football, particularly in advocating for women’s roles in the sport, are expected to continue in various
