Pinnick: Nigeria football is one big family

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has reiterated that the country’s football group is one big family, following Wednesday’s meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung and a group led by Ambassador Chris Giwa. 

Pinnick also commended moves by the Minister to solidify the unity of the football family, and called on every member of the family to work assiduously in support of the present NFF administration to take the nation’s football to new heights. 

“We want to say a big ‘Thank You’ to the Honourable Minister, the Permanent Secretary (Mr. Christian Ohaa) and the Director General, NSC (Mallam Alhassan Yakmut) for their wonderful efforts in trying to solidify the unity among the football family. 

“Wednesday’s meeting was another of such efforts and we praise the attitude of the Minister, Permanent Secretary and Director General all through the meeting. 

“The NFF wishes to reiterate that we remain focused as ever on the several programs that we have this year. On Friday, the Super Eagles have an important match against Tunisia at the African Nations Championship. 

“In two months, we have a crucial double –header against Egypt in the race for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.” 

Pinnick appealed to persons in the football family with one grouse or the other to elevate national interest above personal aspiration, and to eschew bickering, as crisis was responsible for the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations held in Equatorial Guinea. 

“We are calling on everyone to work with the present administration to consolidate on the glorious run of the various National Teams.

This is a very, very important year for Nigeria football: the Super Eagles will conclude the qualification series for the 2017 Cup of Nations and start the qualification series for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

There is the Olympics football tournament in Rio. We also have age-grade women World Cup competitions and the African Women Championship, and qualifying campaigns for the U-20 and U-17 teams. 

“The NFF is happy that the whole family remains united and committed to the attainment of more successes.”