Amaju Pinnick Makes Shrewd Statement After Calls to Resign As NFF President Following World Cup Failure

Amaju Pinnick Makes Shrewd Statement After Calls to Resign As NFF President Following World Cup Failure

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:00 PM
  • Amaju Pinnick vows he will not step down as Nigeria's FA president despite calls for him to step down following the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
  • The NFF President has been heavily criticized by football supporters and stakeholders in recent weeks as he has been faulted for Nigeria’s World Cup misery
  • Pinnick blamed hard luck for the Super Eagles’ failure but insists the Nigerian Football Federation did everything that was required to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup

Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick has described himself as a soldier who never backs down even in tough situations.

Pinnick has faced criticisms from Nigerians after the Super Eagles failed in their bid to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after they were eliminated by Ghana in the play-offs.

Amaju Pinnick, Super Eagles, Nigeria, FIFA, 2022 World Cup, Ghana, Qatar 2022
Amaju Pinnick was recently appointed to the FIFA Working Group on Normalisation Committees. Photo by Pius Utomi-Ekpei
Source: Getty Images

According to a report via Punch, some football enthusiasts have called for the NFF President to tender his resignation but Pinnick remains adamant and has promised to stay till the end of his tenure.

“Some people say, ‘oh, take responsibility and resign.’ I’m a soldier, I’ll stay till the end of my tenure.
“Taking responsibility doesn’t mean you are guilty, it’s just a courtesy out of maturity and out of the fact that you don’t want to ascribe blame to your subordinates. It’s quite unfortunate knowing that you didn’t do anything, knowing that you had sleepless nights.”

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for their 7th World Cup appearance after they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Moshood Abiola Stadium by Ghana and got eliminated on the away goals rule.

Pinnick exonerates NFF from Super Eagles’ failure

Meanwhile, Amaju Pinnick says the Nigerian Football Federation did everything possible to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup.

Pinnick has just been appointed to the Working Group on Normalisation Committees in FIFA according to This Day, insists the Super Eagles were given the needed support.

Pinnick has however accepted responsibility for the failures of the national team but will continue in his role as head of Nigeria’s Football Federation.

Amaju Pinnick gives stunning reason for hiring foreign coaches

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Amaju Pinnick has revealed that he prefers foreigners to be in charge of the Super Eagles rather than local coaches because they have a different mindset toward winning.

The Nigerian Football Federation President’s preference is based on his past experiences as he and what he claims to have observed from his current perspective.

Pinnick acknowledged the competency of some Nigerian coaches but disclosed they are yet to imbibe the winning mentality into their game.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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