Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Condemnation trails Pinnick’s trip with coaches to Europe
It is seen that the NFF President seems concerned about only the Super Eagles.
Nigeria football buffs and fans have taken to the social media to condemn NFF President Amaju Pinnick’s trip with Super Eagles coaches to meet England-based players ahead of Super Eagles’ crucial Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against the Black Stars of Ghana.
Pinnick on Tuesday led the newly-constituted Super Eagles coaching crew to meet with the players in England.
Both technical adviser, Austin Eguavoen and chief coach, Emmanuel Amuneke alongside the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi were on the ground in a meeting with the likes of Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman among others.
While Nigerians welcomed the Eguavoen and Amunike travelling to England to meet with the players and their clubs to discuss important issues about the match and meet with clubs to ensure players are released for the match to avoid a repeat of non-release of Watford Emmanuel Dennis and Napoli Victor Oshimen for the Afcon, they believed Pinnick being on the entourage is a distraction.
“Amaju should stay at home and work with NPFL to revive our league. He is not elected as Super Eagles President but President of football in Nigeria” said Alozie Sunday a football man.
Several football fans agree with Sunday they believe Pinnick’s two terms in office has seen a very serious decline in football at all level in Nigeria.
“ If Amaju stays here to work and develop talents here we won’t need to be begging Nigerians in the diaspora to play for the Super Eagles’’ wrote Gbenga Aluko.
But the NFF President seems concerned about only the Super Eagles.
Pinnick in a series of tweets assured the players that the federation is ready to support for them to make the nation proud.
“Prayers and support are invaluable in this regard. God willing, we will achieve our goals because we will not relent. In furtherance to my tweets regarding our plans to ensure we qualify for this year's @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar, we've held a series of meetings in London with our Super Eagles players. It was me, the team secretary, the coach & technical adviser of the team.
“Make no mistake. World Cup qualification is non-negotiable. We are putting all of our efforts on getting the ticket. The MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, to joining in the zoom call with over 30 members of the National Team, his energy is truly infectious. God bless Nigeria & God bless us all.”
