The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has voted to admit Zanzibar as a full member state of the football managing continental body at the Annual Meeting in Ethiopia.
Despite its first request falling on deaf ears at the CAF general assembly in 2005, this recent development makes Zanzibar the official 55th and newest member of CAF.
Zanzibar becomes the first new CAF member state since the admission of Southern Sudan in 2012.
The 39th General assembly in Addis Ababa unanimously voted to admit the Zanzibar FA after Tanzania’s FA president Jamal Malinzi, made a case on the nation’s behalf.
“Zanzibar has been active over the years and it has a running league and they are independent,” Tanzanian FA President Malinzi explained.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I don’t see why it (Zanzibar) should not be admitted as an independent federation because they have their own constitution and statutes.”[/perfectpullquote]
Malinzi’s proposal was warmly welcomed and unanimously adopted by all the 54 member associations present.
Zanzibar has been an associate member of its clubs participating in all CAF competitions but would play as part of Tanzania on the national team in national team competitions.
This new status means Zanzibar will be fully in charge of its national team and can participate in national tournaments like (AFCON) as well as receive funds direct from FIFA and CAF.
With a 55th member, Africa has become the largest football Bloc at FIFA which increases its bargaining power when they decide on how many World Cup spots to give the continent.
Featured photo: Courtesy of CAF
