Pinnick’s failing ‘FIFA test’ is evidence of change, says Adegoke

7 years ago

Pinnick’s failing ‘FIFA test’ is evidence of change, says Adegoke

Former Green Eagles winger, Adelabu Adegoke wants the Presidency to question the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for its ‘failures and administrative lawlessness’, which according to him, has contributed to the free fall of the nation’s football.

Adegoke also said in a message to The Guardian yesterday that the elimination of all Nigerian male football teams-Super Eagles, Flying Eagles and the Golden Eaglets from 2017 African competitions, may have been responsible for the alleged ‘failure’ of Pinnick to get CAF’s nomination for an executive position in FIFA.

Elections to choose two additional African representatives into FIFA will hold on September 29, and there were reports during the week that Pinnick wanted to grab one of the two slots, but failed. Though, the NFF denied the report saying that at no time did Pinnick filled form to be considered for CAF nomination for the FIFA Council.

However, Adegoke is of the view that there is no smoke without fire: “With the current poor results that we have in our football, what is Amaju’s motivation to occupy FIFA seat? There are still several areas that I expect the sport minister to question the NFF board for their failures.”
Speaking further, the former IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan winger said: “Let Amaju Pinnick give us reasons why his office could not manage indigenous coaches successfully. I am of the opinion that by the time the sport reform report is executed, it will check the excesses of our sport administrators and it will not accommodate ‘political touts’ in our sport again.”

According to AfricanFootball.com, the NFF boss, Pinnick, allegedly submitted his application before the June 30 deadline. The report suggests that Pinnick’s ambition to grab the seat was the real reason FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and 17 African FA presidents visited the country last month. He needs an alliance with several FA presidents to stand a chance,” a top source informed AfricanFootball.com

Adegoke, a sports scientist said: “In as much as I am not pleased that Nigeria did not win the coveted seat into FIFA, nonetheless, it is a good indication that football administration will no longer accommodate people who have nothing to offer except to ride on the glory of their offices to foster personal interests.

“It is pathetic that bringing the FIFA President to Nigeria aimlessly cannot even pull enough support for Pinnick to get the seat. That reminds me a couple of years ago when the Williams’ sisters were brought to Nigeria. The purpose of bringing them to the country I don’t still understand, and after they left, what impact they made I am yet to see.

These are ways by which people who have nothing to offer in the area of sport try to launder their images to make themselves relevant. Another question is how many Nigerian young ladies are playing tennis for a living after the Williams’ sisters left? We have to be objective and purposeful in all that we do,” Adegoke added.

In its reaction to the story earlier in the week, The NFF stated that there was no iota of truth in a story in an African football website claiming that the Confederation of African Football has rejected the nomination of Amaju Pinnick for a seat on the FIFA Council (formerly known as FIFA Executive Committee).

NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, categorically stated that at no time did Pinnick filled form to be considered for CAF nomination for the FIFA Council.
“Although the truth is that Nigeria is big enough as a country to have a member in the esteemed FIFA Council, I want to say without any fear of contradiction that at no time did the NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, filled form for CAF to consider him for nomination.

“It is not an illegitimate ambition for a Nigerian to aspire to be in the FIFA Council. In the future, perhaps Mr. Pinnick or any other worthy Nigerian who is able to receive the support of the Government will approach CAF to be nominated to the Council.”