Former Swiss international Gelson Fernandes has been appointed by FIFA as the Director of Football Federation in Africa. He will take up his new role later in the year effective from 1st August 2022. His main task will be to oversee services to strengthen the development of the African member associations through the Forward Programme. The 35 year old former mid fielder has his roots with Cape Verde but he grew up in Switzerland and undertook his football development at FC Sion where he is currently the Vice President of the club. 
 

During his career as a footballer, Fernandes played for FC Sion, Stade Rennes, SC Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt, St Etienne, Udinese, Chievo Verona, Sporting CP, Leicester City, and Manchester City. He is best remembered for scoring the only goal that Switzerland overcame the eventual 2010 World Cup champions 1-0 at the South African World Cup. The 35 year old is looking forward to his new task and he agrees that he has a multitude of work ahead of him in developing football in Africa.