NFF President Amaju Pinnick calls for patience for GFA boss Kurt Okraku after early AFCON exit

NFF President Amaju Pinnick calls for patience for GFA boss Kurt Okraku after early AFCON exit

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
  • Amaju Pinnick has called on Ghanaian football fans to exercise patience for GFA boss Kurt Okraku after the Black Stars' AFCON exit
  • The experienced football administrator believes Kurt Okraku will turn things around with time for the West African powerhouse
  • Ghana were eliminated at the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon

President of Nigeria's Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has thrown his weight behind under-pressure Ghana FA boss Kurt Okraku.

The GFA president has come under intense pressure following the Black Stars' early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Pinnick, who was speaking after Nigeria drew Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers play-offs, backed Okraku to turns around for the four times African champions.

GFA boss Kurt Okraku and NFF President Amaju Pinnic. SOURCE: Twitter/ @ghanasoccernet
NFF President Amaju Pinnick calls for patience for GFA boss Kurt Okraku after early AFCON exit. SOURCE: Twitter/ @ghanasoccernet
Source: Twitter
“Kurt loves Ghana. He loves to develop the game to the highest level, and I think he should be supported. In life, you have your bad days and your good days. This is just one of the bad times of Ghana,” he said.

The Black Stars will hosts their arch-rivals in March for the first leg of the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers before a trip to Nigeria in seven days times.

Both country's have been eliminated at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Ghana finished last in their group at the tournament.

Pinnick added playing Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers will be tough, especially with Kurt Okraku leading a wounded team.

“I never wanted to play Ghana [in the World Cup play-offs] because of Kurt. People should look at Kurt as somebody who has been able to galvanise that love for Ghana once again and they should respect that. As a FIFA Council Member representing Anglophone, I intend to go to Ghana and see possible I can help, if possible," Pinnick added.

Amaju Pinnick confident Nigeria will qualify for World Cup

Earlier, SportsBrief.com reported that, Amaju Pinnick, the President of Nigeria's Football Federation, has sent a strong message to Ghanaians ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers play-offs in March.

The Black Stars and the Super Eagles will battle it out for one of the continent's tickets for the World Cup in Qatar this year.

Speaking to Ghanaian journalist, Juliet Barwuah, Pinnick is very confident Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup even though he believes it will be a tough game.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.
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Amaju PinnickGhanaGhana Football Association (GFA)Nigeria