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Tag: Amaju Pinnick

  • Amuneke faces tough Pinnick conditions for  Super Eagles’ job

    Amuneke faces tough Pinnick conditions for  Super Eagles’ job

    Immediate  past President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, believes  former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Amuneke , is still a strong candidate to coach the Super  Eagles in the future.

    But  Pinnick  asserted  that the former  Barcelona winger  must deliver silverware at club level before he can  took the reins  of the  national men’s football team.

    Speaking on the Sunday Oliseh Global Football Insights Podcast, Pinnick said matter-of-factly, adding the Super Eagles job isn’t something you earn on past glory alone—even if you’re a Barcelona legend who won the U-17 World Cup.

    “I like him. We have a good relationship,” Pinnick claimed. “But the Super Eagles is not just for anybody to handle. Let’s see your results with Heartland FC.”

    As a player, Amuneke was box office as the he silky winger won titles across three continents with Julius Berger, Zamalek, Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona.

    He retired to coaching  in 2008 and cut his teeth with Julius Berger and Ocean Boys before landing his breakthrough moment in 2015: guiding  the Golden Eaglets to  FIFA U-17 World Cup glory in Chile with a team  that included Victor Osimhen,  Samuel Chukwueze and among others.

    Read Also: 16th Round: NFF agree to pay Super Eagles $30,000 each

    His next stop was Tanzania, where he masterminded their qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. By 2022, he was named Super Eagles assistant coach for the crucial World Cup playoff against Ghana.

    With credentials like that, many assumed Amuneke was a shoo-in for the top job in 2024. Instead, the NFF went with Finidi George, who’d just won the Nigerian league with Rivers United.

    But to land the Super Eagles’ job, Pinnick has  now given Amuneke some stringent  conditions  , adding  the former  Africa Footballer of the Year should  take Heartland, currently struggling in Nigeria’s lower leagues, back to the top flight. Then win the NPFL title. And then? Take a crack at the CAF Champions League—a trophy no Nigerian club has lifted in over two decades.

    “He’s at Heartland, a big club that has been there for over 40 years,” Pinnick explained. “Let him help the club win the Champions League. He’s still very young. Once that is done, it’s going to be automatic going to the Super Eagles.”

  • Pinnick’s CAF appointment will elevate Nigerian football – Presidential aide

    Pinnick’s CAF appointment will elevate Nigerian football – Presidential aide

    Mr. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the President, has praised Amaju Pinnick’s appointment as Special Adviser to CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

    ‎Dare, a former minister of youth and sports, described the appointment as a significant boost for Nigerian and African football.

    ‎In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Dare congratulated Pinnick on his return to continental football leadership.

    ‎Pinnick, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was appointed on Saturday by Motsepe, marking his reintegration into CAF’s inner circle.

    ‎The presidential aide commended Pinnick’s dedication to football governance and his consistent influence across Africa’s sporting landscape.

    ‎“Amaju Pinnick’s re-emergence on the continental football stage is a testament to his vast experience and tireless passion for the beautiful game.

    ‎”His new appointment as Special Adviser to the CAF President is well-deserved, and I am confident he will make invaluable contributions to African football at this strategic level,” Dare said.

    Read Also: Pinnick thanks Tinubu, Infantino, others after losing FIFA Council Seat

    ‎Dare emphasised that Pinnick’s presence within the CAF executive will once again,  place Nigeria at the center of major football decisions on the continent.

    ‎”It’s a win for the country and a proud moment for Nigerian sports leadership, especially at a time where President Bola Tinubu has mandated the development of a strong sports economy in Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

    ‎Pinnick previously served as CAF first vice president and as a member of the FIFA Council.

    ‎During his tenure,  he worked closely with Dare as minister, forging a synergy to reposition Nigerian football.

    ‎Dare expressed optimism that Pinnick’s appointment would further elevate Nigeria’s reputation in international football governance.

    (NAN)

  • BREAKING: Pinnick loses FIFA re-election bid 

    BREAKING: Pinnick loses FIFA re-election bid 

    Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has failed in his bid to retain his seat on the FIFA Council following elections held today at the 14th Extraordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt.  

    Pinnick’s fate, along with that of several other candidates, rested on the ballots cast by African football delegates in what was a fiercely contested election to determine the continent’s representatives on the FIFA Council.  

    Fouzi Lekjaa topped the poll with 49 votes, securing his seat comfortably. Hani Abou Rida and Djibrilla Hima Hamidou followed with 35 votes each, while Ahmed Yahya claimed a spot with 29 votes. The final place went to Souleiman Hassan Waberi of Djibouti, who also secured 29 votes — leaving Pinnick agonizingly short with 28 votes, just one vote away from success.  

    Read Also: South West Games:  Pinnick  endorses  BAT-SWAG  as game-changer for sports  dev’t

    Pinnick, who has served on the FIFA Council since 2021, had hoped to extend his influence in global football governance but fell at the final hurdle.  

    Elsewhere, Andrew Kamanga (19 votes), Yacine Diallo (18 votes), and Augustin Senghor (13 votes) also fell short, while Mathurin de Chacus withdrew before the final count.  

    In the women’s race, Kanizat Ibrahim emerged victorious with 30 votes, while Lydia Nsekera (13 votes) and Isha Johansen (7 votes) missed out.  

    With Africa holding seven seats on the FIFA Council — including one reserved for the CAF president — Pinnick’s exit marks a shift in the balance of power within African football leadership.

  • South West Games:  Pinnick  endorses  BAT-SWAG  as game-changer for sports  dev’t

    South West Games:  Pinnick  endorses  BAT-SWAG  as game-changer for sports  dev’t

    Former  President of  the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick, has endorsed the forthcoming  South West Games 2025, adding the tournament would be a ground-breaking platform for sports development, youth empowerment, and economic growth in Nigeria.

    The highly anticipated competition, set to take place in Lagos, will feature the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BAT-SWAG) as its key sub-tournament.

    The FIFA Council Member in an endorsement letter  to the organizers of the South West Games 2025, Practagali Limited, lauded the initiative as a catalyst for a new era of athletic excellence in  the south-western region.

    He said: “With great enthusiasm and a firm belief in the power of sports, I proudly extend my wholehearted endorsement of the South West Games 2025, including its key sub-tournament, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu South West Alliance Games. “

    Read Also: NFF holds match commissioners’ seminar in Asaba

    With a vision that extends beyond mere competition, Pinnick emphasized the transformational impact of the games in the six South-western states—Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, and Oyo.

     “This initiative is a game-changer for sports development, talent discovery, and youth empowerment across the six South-western states,” he noted. “More than just a competition, these games will serve as a breeding ground for the next generation of elite athletes while fostering unity, discipline, and national pride.”

    He  underscored the significance of Lagos as the host city, describing it as both a strategic and symbolic choice.

    “As the epicentre of Nigerian sports, Lagos boasts world-class infrastructure, a rich sporting heritage, and an unmatched passion for athletics. Its dynamic energy and cosmopolitan spirit make it the ideal stage to usher in a new era of sporting excellence in the region,” Pinnick affirmed. “Beyond the thrill of competition, the South West Games 2025 will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, career opportunities, and youth engagement. This is not just a tournament—it is the foundation of a lasting legacy,” he enthused.

    He continued: “This tournament, no doubt, will not only serve as a paradigm shift but will go down in the annals of history as one of the most pleasurable, memorable, and potent platforms for talent conditioning, nurturing, and development.”

    Meanwhile, Pinnick  has commended Practagali Limited for its vision and urged all stakeholders—including government institutions, corporate organizations, and sports enthusiasts—to rally behind the project to ensure its success.

     “I commend Practagali Limited for spearheading this visionary initiative and urging all stakeholders—governments, corporate organizations, and sports enthusiasts—to lend their full support. Together, we can make history and redefine the future of sports in Nigeria,” he stated.

    Pinnick’s endorsement of the South West Games 2025 is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the advancement of Nigerian sports. As a FIFA Council Member and CAF Executive Committee Member, his influence in the global football landscape adds further weight to his backing of this monumental event. His role as Chairman of the Brownhill Group further underscores his commitment to sports development, both at home and internationally.

  • Pinnick confirms new coach for Super Eagles

    Pinnick confirms new coach for Super Eagles

    The NFF will soon announce a new foreign coach for the Super Eagles, who former president Amaju Pinnick described as “enterprising”.

    “Any moment from now, I am sure they would be announcing a coach, an enterprising coach at that,” Pinnick told Channels Television Sports Tonight.

    Read Also: NFF holds match commissioners’ seminar in Asaba

    Nigeria have been without a substantive coach since June 2024, when Finidi George quit the position. The new coach will now oversee the remaining part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    Nigeria are second from bottom in Group C with three points from four matches.

    They resume their campaign in Rwanda before a home game against Zimbabwe in March.

  • Ex-NFF boss Pinnick to speak on sports infrastructure maintenance in UI 

    Ex-NFF boss Pinnick to speak on sports infrastructure maintenance in UI 

    Former President Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and FIFA council member, Amaju Pinnick, has agreed to deliver the University of Ibadan Faculty of Education Guest Lecture.

    This is in furtherance of the town-gown synergy with the premier university. 

    The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Olufemi Adegbesan, disclosed that the renowned sports administrator has agreed and would be speaking on a critical issue affecting the sporting space which has to do with infrastructure maintenance.

    According to Professor Adegbesan, Mr Pinnick would be speaking on “The Challenges of Sports Infrastructure and Maintenance in Nigeria: Prospect for the Podium Performance” on October 29, 2024 to unpack how sporting infrastructures in Nigeria need to be maintained and sustained for future generations. 

    Professor Adegbesan highlighted that the Faculty of Education is committed to contributing to Nigerian society by organizing lectures on pressing issues across various sectors of the economy.

    Read Also: Tinubu backs Pinnick’s FIFA Council re-election bid 

    He emphasized that the faculty is equipped with scholars capable of providing solutions to the country’s numerous challenges.

    He also noted that the guest lecturer, with extensive experience in sports management and administration both nationally and internationally, is well-qualified to deliver the lecture. 

    The event will provide a platform for distinguished individuals with proven records of hard work, service to humanity, and excellence to engage with a broad audience, including youth, academic members, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

  • Apologise to your Warri fans, Amaju Pinnick – Mr Jollof tells Davido

    Apologise to your Warri fans, Amaju Pinnick – Mr Jollof tells Davido

    Popular Nigerian comedian, Freedom Atsepoyi aka  Mr. Jollof has asked Davido to tender an heartfelt apology to his Warri fans and the ex-president of NFF, Amaju Pinnick for failing to show up for a paid show. 

    The Nation reported that Davido was earlier called out by Pinnick who alleged to have paid the singer $94,600 as well as $18,000 for his flight but he failed to show up.

    Davido had reacted to this by lambasting the president while recalling how Warri people despise him for his unseemly acts during his time as NFF president.

    Read Also: Nobody can stop me from performing in Nigeria – Davido reacts to allegations

    According to Mr Jollof, Davido has disrespected the people as well as his fans and rather than continuing fighting fire with fire, he should apologise.

    He said: “pologise to Amaju and your warri fans. Amaju is like a father to me and you’re my colleague. First of all, Davido you need to tender a sincere apology, respect your fans in warri, if your lawyer no dey advise you I will. Be remorseful. Lot of people made a whopping 5 million naira just to see you.”

  • AFCON 2019: Eagles are condemned to win – Pinnick

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has assured Nigerians that the Africa Cup of Nations will land in Abuja in July, as the Super Eagles are condemned to win the tournament this summer.

    Pinnick, in a monitored interview over the weekend, said that the Nigerian team will not be going to Egypt to aim the second round, or quarter-finals, as the trophy remains the focus of the team.

    According to Pinnick, “If you have a son, you will not want him to be an armed robber, you will prefer him being a medical doctor, so we want to win the tournament, not just participate. We are condemned to going to Egypt to win the AFCON and that is our focus. We are not just going to play for round of sixteen or quarter finals, we have won it before, we can do it again. We are working and praying towards it, and we believe that we will do well.

    Speaking on what the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has done so far to help the preparations for the Super Eagles, Pinnick, who doubles as the President of the Africa Cup of Nations committee revealed that chartered flights and a training camp have been secured for the boys.

    Read Also: It’s time for Nigeria to win AFCON again, says Westerhof

    “On the part of the federation, we have done everything that we need to do. We have secured a chartered flight that will be taking them straight from Asaba to Cairo, and we have secured a training camp in Egypt. The boys will not need to go to Abu Dhabi, Turkey or France, before the competition begins, so acclimatization will start early” he said

    Amaju Pinnick further denied forcing the coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr to include striker, Kelechi Iheanacho on the team to fly to Egypt.  He said he only advised the coach, leaving him to take the final decision.

    In his words “We have a contract with the coach, such that after the selection of players is done, he sends to me, and I send it to the technical committee, without altering it, and then it is sent back to the coach, before he releases it to the public.

    “However, I advised the coach on Iheanacho, and I don’t have any regret about it. It was the same thing I did during the time of Ahmed Musa, when he was facing problems in his marriage and in Leicester City. I told the coach that if a football club does not help the player, it is the country that should help the player. Now look at what Musa did at the World Cup. It is the same thing with Iheanacho, there are some reasons he left Pep Guardiola and Manchester City which I don’t want to say, but I am happy that other players are also saying it. He went to Leicester City and is adjusting, and he is young and an enterprising left-footed player.  If he does not go to the AFCON now, when will he go? He can even be the hero of the tournament at the end of the day.

    “But I told the coach that he has the final decision to make. If I was the President of Nigeria, and I see an issue to advice the coach on, I would have done the same.”

    The Super Eagles began camping for the 2019 AFCON on Sunday, and will play a friendly match against Zimbabwe in Asaba on June 8, before jetting out to Cairo, where they face Senegal on June 16th in another friendly game. They have been grouped to face Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar in the Nations Cup, which holds from June 21st to July 19th.

  • $8.4m FIFA fund: Arewa Youth faults SPIP report on Pinnick

    Arewa Youth Assembly on Tuesday faulted the Okoi Obono-Obla led Special Presidential Investigative Panel (SPIP) report that indicted Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick on alleged diversion of $8.4m FIFA fund.

    The SPIP had indicted Pinnick; NFF first Vice President Seyi Akinwumi; second Vice President Shehu Dikko; Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi and board member, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh over alleged diversion of $8.4 million FIFA paid NFF as Brazil 2014 World Cup appearance fee and N4 billion fund belonging to the Federation.

    But the Arewa Youth Assembly told sports reporters that the SPIP report that allegedly indicted Pinnick and the other NFF officials is “largely untrue, some outright fabrication of falsehood intended to provoke greater depth of ill feelings and promote crisis in NFF”.

    Reacting to a paid advertorial on the issue, Speaker, Arewa Youth Assembly, Malam Mohammed Salihu Danlami told sports writers in Kaduna that, “today our curiosity had been ignited by reports on media against the person of Amaju Pinnick for gross misconduct and abuse of his status about $8.4m FIFA grant and N4billion moved out of NFF account without the consent of the football federation.

    “To be candid, we don’t support corruption, any form of embezzlement of public fund. In spite of the collective resolve to battle corruption, every accused person is innocent before the law until proven otherwise. Amaju should be treated with the same guiding principle.

    This is a collection of slanderous, malicious, mind boggling rumours and a figment of the imagination of cluster of individuals who have refuse to come out of mediocrity and poverty of the mind which has befallen them.

    “Usually, it would have been unnecessary for Arewa Youth Assembly to dignify the tissues of lies, deliberate falsehood and nondescript narratives dished out by those behind these issues, but for the interest of the same readers whose sensibilities may have been ruffled by that obvious waste of resources in the form of a paid advertorial.

    “After our studied decision we found this report of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla to be largely untrue, some outright fabrication of falsehood intended to provoke greater depth of ill feelings and promote crisis in NFF.

    Amaju Pinnick is not a signatory or in control of NFF account. The roles are exclusively reserved and performed by directors and personnel appointed by FGN from the offices of the Accountant General of the federation and Auditor General of the federation.

    “NFF under Pinnick has since 2014, kept true financial records of NFF funds as audited by its external auditors PwC and published in the newspaper. These tantrums and diatribe against Pinnick’s rising leadership profile are the handiwork of known enemies of NFF. These individuals, who went round peddling all manners of unfounded rumours, have foolishly sold out their pay masters when they averred inter alia to pull the hard earn name of Amaju down.

    READ ALSO: Aiteo Funds 30% of NFF’s Entire Expenditure, says Pinnick

    “No amount of distraction by the incessant accusation of tribalism can deter Amaju Pinnick from performing his constitutional role as the current serving NFF president. He has exhibited competence and character, a man who has placed Nigeria on the world map of sport development. Recognizing the importance of his leadership most countries looks at present course of NFF as a model for modern governance in sport in their various countries.

    “Amaju Pinnick’s uncommon commitments mark him out as a purposeful leader. A visionary man reckoned with by all and various sport lovers. It is pitiable the people who have never held positions of responsibility cast aspersions on leaders addressing them in all kinds of derogatory terms.

    This attempt to malign, insult and denigrate the office of NFF president and drag him into disrepute with a view to aiding some masquerades somewhere to score cheap points is a bad job.”Amaju Pinnick’s leadership has restored confidence, love and hope in the sport industry.

    The discipline, orientation, development, unity, closeness, love, togetherness and lots more that Pinnick initiated, built and put in place are what they want to banish. And the best way to succeed is to follow the footsteps of an achiever.”

     

  • Preparations for AFCON 2019 on course, says Pinnick

    Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says preparations for the 2019 edition of African Cup of Nations tournament is on course.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Egypt will host the tournament in six centres under the new 24 team format from June 21 to July 19.

    Pinnick, the first Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said on Wednesday in Lagos that he received daily reports from the various sub-committees in Egypt preparing for the big event.

    “Preparations have been going on very well. I have daily reports from the various sub-committees and the administration.

    “I believe that Egypt will put up a spectacular performance in terms of organisation and running of the events because they have invested so much,” he said.

    According to Pinnick, Egypt is traditionally a football loving country and is eagerly anticipating the championship.

    Read Also: Policemen storm NFF to arrest Pinnick, others

    The NFF boss said that the 24 team format for the 2019 edition will give more teams the opportunity to participate in the tournament.

    Three countries, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt took part in the first CAF tournament held in Sudan in 1957. Egypt won the maiden edition. The format for the tournament changed to eight teams and later 16 teams.

    “The new format has given so many countries the privilege of being in AFCON. For instance, Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania couldn’t have been in the tournament if there was no 24 team format.

    “The new format also has economic advantage because the more games you play, the more television rights and the merrier. It has other advantages for football in the continent,” he said.

    Pinnick said that he was optimistic that the 2019 AFCON would be a great success.

    NAN