The Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) is preparing to elect a new president and executive committee this week, in a vote that is expected to bring an end to months of uncertainty within the sport’s national governing body.
An extraordinary elective general assembly has been scheduled for Thursday, 16 April, according to the federation’s General Secretariat. Delegates will gather to decide on new leadership, with the outcome widely anticipated due to the presence of a single approved candidate.
Mahazou Baba Cissé is set to become the next president of FEMAFOOT after his candidacy emerged as the only valid ticket among four submissions. His application secured the required endorsements, effectively leaving him unopposed in the election.
The development follows a prolonged period of tension surrounding Malian football governance, during which multiple stakeholders had expressed concerns about the direction of the federation. The upcoming vote is therefore seen as a decisive moment that could stabilise the administration and set a new course for the sport in the country.
The General Secretariat confirmed that the agenda for the assembly will focus primarily on the election of the president and members of the executive committee. With only one approved list, the process is expected to be straightforward, although its significance remains considerable given the challenges that have preceded it.
Mahazou Baba Cissé’s path to the presidency was shaped by the federation’s vetting process, which reviewed four separate candidacies. Ultimately, his was the only bid to meet all the criteria required to stand in the election.
As previously noted in public commentary, “Mahazou Baba Cissé will be the new FEMAFOOT president 🇲🇱He is the only candidate who secured the necessary endorsements for his application among the four people who sought to run for the elections.”
Observers say the lack of opposition reflects both the strict requirements imposed during the selection process and the broader dynamics within Malian football administration.
The election is expected to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the federation, which has faced internal disputes in recent months. Many within the football community will be watching closely to see how the incoming leadership addresses these issues and works to rebuild confidence.
While the outcome appears largely predetermined, the formal endorsement at Thursday’s assembly will complete the process and officially install a new executive team.
Attention will then turn to the challenges ahead, including governance reforms and the development of football at both domestic and international levels.
For Malian football, the conclusion of this electoral process may signal not only a change in leadership, but also an opportunity to move beyond recent tensions and focus on the future of the game.
