Dikko exonerates Pinnick, blames Eguavoen, Amuneke for Eagles’ non-qualification world cup

The boss of lackadaisical Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Shehu Dikko has alleged that Super Eagles technical crew led by Austin Eguavoen committed technical defaults that caused Nigeria the quest to secure a place at the forth coming Qatar 2022 FIFA world cup.

Dikko who is also the 2nd vice president of Nigeria’s football governing body, told sports writers that the technical crew had resort to last minute tactical switch that proved ineffective and inefficient that culminate into total failure that led to Nigeria’s loss of the highly cherished world cup spot.

Dikko revealed this to journalists last Thursday after the NFF 77th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Lagos.

He said those who accused the outgoing NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and himself of influencing the starting eleven in the match dont know the truth.

“Ghana qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup ticket on goal aggregate at the expense of Nigeria after a 1-1 draw at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja while the first leg ended 0-0 in Ghana.

Clearing the air on the allegation that Amaju Pinnick influenced the change in the squad before the kick off, the LMC Chairman blamed it on the Super Eagles assistance coach Emmanuel Amunike saying that he convinced the head coach, Austin Eguavoen to change the starting line up three hours before kick off which affected the outcome of the result.

“How can anyone say that Amaju Pinnick and I influenced the Super Eagles starting eleven in that match? In fact, my humble self, Sanusi Mohammed (NFF General Secretary) and all the Coaching crew were with the Minister of Sports few days to the match when the Assistance coach, Salisu Yusuf explained how the match will be played and won and players that would execute the plans.

Salisu Yusuf convinced all of us including the Minister when he explained that Ghana having played a 0-0 in the first leg, Ghana will come to defend and use counter attack to get at least a goal. He added that they are well prepared for their gimmicks. Salisu said that they will start the game with two attackers Ighalo and Oshimen. Ighalo will remain as top striker while Osimhen assist and keep an eye on Partey because he is faster than the Arsenal forward.

The two wingers according to the initial list had Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon.

We were all convinced with the tactics and the players listed to execute the plans for the World Cup qualifier match but we were shocked to see new names smuggled into the team three hours to kick off in such a critical match.”

“There is need to clear the air on such allegation because millions of Nigerians are not happy with the outcome and they showed their displeasure after till match.” Dikko is quoted to have said.