AMAJU PINNICK, chairman of the Nigeria Football Association appears to have gained statue everywhere. For long now he has been regarded as a mover and shaker on the African continent. Can he now transform Nigerian Football at home?
On the Continent, Consider that not so long ago Issa Hayatou was perceived as a fixture as CAF President. Amaju Pinnick- among others, but he carried the biggest weight- backed the Malagasian challenger, AHMAD and HAYATOU was ousted at a CAF Presidential Election.
Since then, there have been major changes in CAF operations and policies – with Amaju Pinnick, always at the centre- stage, backing or inspiring the new Malagasian President’s every move. And quite recently, they achieved the impossible – shifting the AFCON tournament to JUNE and JULY, from the European winter (season) months of January and February – to the cheers and tremendous relief of African players in Europe. With that shift, an obstacle to European clubs hiring African players was removed in one bold Pinnickian move! And to put icing on the cake, the number of competing teams was increased from 16 to 24. More so, Pinnick did not retreat behind the scenes. He defended the result from the rooftops, enabling the Malagasian to lead effectively from behind.
But what of the home front? True, Pinnick’s regime did not start auspiciously. Coaching was in disarray: one Coach, misunderstood and underestimated, was unceremoniously booted out and died soon after. Another, in confusion suddenly decamped and retired post haste to Europe.
Pinnick finally has gotten his act together at home? A new coach Rohr, a new coaching system and better selection of players, seem to have transformed the flagship Super Eagles.
Did you see the hand of Pinnick? A hint here, a nudge there. The result? More decisive moves by the players and better co-ordination under Captain Mikel Obi. Recall the drubbing of African Champions, Cameroon 4-0, at the world Cup Qualifiers as Nigeria emerged top of the group. The Super Eagle’s strikers seemed to have shared the goal scoring among themselves. Even captain Mikel started to score. And the future? Dare we talk about a world-cup surprise, after the recent 4-0, debacle in Morocco, where the Super Eagles struggled with 10players?
For a verdict on Pinnik’s transformation of Nigerian football, we have to look beyond the Eagle’s performance at the World Cup in Russia.
“Everything that the players need must be put in place as they prepare for the world cup. (The Super Eagles) just go into camp and relax to play the game and not worry over other things”
_ George Weah, former ace footballer, now president of Liberia.