President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has responded to criticisms leveled against him for preferring to be in England watching Sunday’s FA Community Shield showdown when various national teams were involved in crucial Olympic Games qualifiers.
The NFF chief was spotted with new coach of the Nigeria senior national team, Sunday Oliseh, at the Wembley stadium watching Arsenal’s 1-0 triumph over reigning Premier League champions Chelsea in the 2015-16 campaign curtain raiser.
That was followed with heavy backlash from fans of Nigerian football who are apparently baffled by Pinnick’s decision to abandon the Super Falcons and the Nigeria Under-23 – both of whom were locked in crucial Olympic qualifying games at the same time on Sunday- to travel to London.
Pinnick took to his official Twitter account to clarify his ‘supposed’ motive for embarking on the journey to England.
Hello All, no doubt I am an Arsenal fan but I will never relegate my calling at NFF for Arsenal. When Arsenal was playing against Manchester
— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) August 2, 2015
He claims he was on a business trip to discuss with some “would-be sponsors.” Those torrents of tweets via his handle @PinnickAmaju have been highlighted in this report.
some months ago,I was on the road to Ibadan to watch 3SC against Rangers. My vision about my mission in NFF is clear and by God's Grace,
— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) August 2, 2015
While the NFF president was away in Wembley, the Falcons crashed out of the qualifying series for the 2016 Olympic Games at the expense of Equatorial Guinea; however, coach Samson Siasia-tutored Dream Team VI drew goalless in Pointe-Noire to scale Congo’s hurdle into the 2015 Caf Under-23 Championship.
we shall get there.
I came into London for meetings with a consortium of would be sponsors,some requested to see the Head Coach. AMP— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) August 2, 2015
Aside that,there are a lot of global politics going on and if Nigeria must be accorded her pride of place in global football politics,AMP
— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) August 2, 2015
then we must participate at the highest level.
I appeal for your understanding and prayers, nothing good comes easy.
I love you all AMP— Amaju Melvin Pinnick (@PinnickAmaju) August 2, 2015
