FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Monday commended the energy, vision and drive of the Nigeria Football Federation led by Amaju Melvin Pinnick.
The world’s football supremo said at an afternoon meeting with NFF President Pinnick at the Home of FIFA, Zurich that he has observed the innovation being brought into Nigeria football in the past few months and was hugely impressed by the new thinking and dynamism.
“First and foremost, let me commend you for the efforts that Nigeria make each time to participate in all FIFA competitions, and for qualifying for most of those competitions. Nigeria is a very important country in world football.
“I have followed with keen interest the innovation that your new team is bringing to Nigeria football with so much passion and conviction, and your new direction points to a very ambitious Federation.”
The FIFA President also congratulated in-coming President Mohammadu Buhari and out-going President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We commend the outgoing President Jonathan for his achievements in the football sector and for encouraging the Football Federation. The incoming President Buhari is also a passionate follower of the game of football, and we believe he will continue to encourage the NFF’s giant strides and Nigeria football generally,” Blatter added, saying that FIFA will always be there to support the NFF and Nigeria football in areas of development.
Pinnick also had separate meetings with FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who reiterated FIFA’s willingness to support Nigeria’s development programmes, and with FIFA’s Director of Technical Study Group, who pledged support for the NFF Technical Study Group and the NFF Technical Department.
The NFF President will on Tuesday afternoon meet with the Chairman of The Football Association, Mr. Greg Dyke, at The FA office in London.
2 Comments
Kunle Adeola
Amaju Pinnick………..Kudos on the NFF website.Though its a very minor thing everyday ordinary people are able to create and publish and maintain but seem rocket science to several NFF board before yours.Going by what your board has been able to do so far,I personally believe that your score card is not great but do you have the potentials to do a lot more absolutely provided the very many vest Interest,groups,political affiliates and other Issues called Nigeria allow for it….The case of re-hiring Keshi is a classic one.Firing him was the right thing to do but in as much as you don’t want to publicly acknowledge the fact that you were ordered by higher up to re engage him,Nigerians are aware and your decision to tow the line for me is commendable because you perfectly understand how and when to pick and fight your battles……Keshi definitely will not last beyond the AFCON qualifiers….Keep on keeping. Manu Garba and his boys are the future.Great they know and understand this but the earlier this happens the better.Once,he is done with U20 W/C,please go on and Install him with a 5 year contract and WE WILL SEE WONDERS IN THIS COUNTRY FOOTBALL WISE.
Akinde Ayodeji
This a very step in the right direction for nigeria football.Nice job Mr president