Qatar 2022: Former NFF President Amaju Pinnick Expresses Regret Over Nigeria’s Qualification Failure

• Amaju Pinnick has expressed regret once again that Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• The Super Eagles lost the Mundial qualification ticket to the Black Stars courtesy of the away goals rule
• Pinnick said Nigeria would have won the prestigious title had the team qualified for the tournament

Former president of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has once again lamented Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Pinnick suggested that the Super Eagles would have won the ongoing global showpiece in Qatar if they had qualified.

The Delta State-born football administrator was the NFF head since 2014. Under his leadership, Nigeria failed to qualify for the Mundial before his second tenure ended in September.

Ghana pipped the country to the ticket courtesy of the away goals rule, and Pinnick suggested that the Eagles would have gone all the way had they qualified.

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He said on Arise TV, as per Cable:

“There’s no day that I do not regret Nigeria not being at World Cup, because this [Qatar 2022] could have been our tournament. Osimhen would have been like what Maradona was in 1986 in that World Cup."

Pinnick said he had told African teams like Senegal and Morocco to win the Mundial, but should they fail this year, Nigeria would be the first from the continent to claim the trophy.

“When they are playing on the field, I take them as Nigerian. And again, I will apologise to Nigerians and I take responsibility as the then president of the federation, but I believe we have gone beyond that now."

Pinnick further called on people to enjoy the World Cup, stating that Qatar had provided a wonderful spectacle to behold.

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“I am a proud Nigerian and I’m happy to be here to represent the country with dignity at any time.”

Sunday Oliseh lauds Senegal

Sports Brief earlier reported that former Nigerian international Sunday Oliseh has applauded Senegal coach Aliou Cisse over their qualification for the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Kalidou Koulibaly grabbed the winner, as the Teranga Lions defeated Ecuador 2-1 in a crunch final group game on Wednesday.

Oliseh praised the doggedness of the tactician, who has now led Senegal to the round of 16 at a World Cup for the first time since 2002.