AFCON 2019: NFF president, Pinnick lists expectations for tournament

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AFCON 2019: NFF president, Pinnick lists expectations for tournament

 

President of the Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria’s Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has given assurance that this year’s competition, will be a huge success.

The stage is set for this edition of the continental showpiece, which holds in Egypt between June 21 and July 19.

Pinnick, who is the first–ever Nigerian to head the organizing committee for the biggest football championship in the continent, flew into Cairo on Sunday ahead of the opening ceremony.

“I am delighted at the general arrangements. The variables and specifics we agreed on in our meetings over the past months have been brought to life by the local organizing committee and the staff of CAF. Everything looks great.

“Of course, there have been concerns in several quarters over the little time that the Egyptians had to prepare for the competition, but we could all see from the show they put up hosting the Draw Ceremony that they are always ready for the big event. I have confidence that all will go pretty well,” Pinnick, who is also the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) told thenff.com.

Egypt 2019 is the biggest AFCON in history, with 24 teams to battle for honours over a period of 28 days.

 

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NFF Crisis: Aggrieved Faction Drag Pinnick-led Board To Supreme Court

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NFF Crisis: Aggrieved Faction Drag Pinnick-led Board To Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgement on the leadership crisis that has engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday.

Chris Giwa and his board had dragged the FIFA-recognised Amaju Pinnick-led board to the Supreme Court, to set aside the verdict of the Appeal Court after they had won at the High Court, claiming that the mandate given to them by the congress of the NFF in August 2013 was sacrosanct.

They also insist that the election in Warri that brought in the Amaju group was held in defiance of a High Court order.

But the defendants have held on to FIFA statutes to argue their case, telling the Supreme Court in their submission that football matters must not be adjudicated in the ordinary court.

They also insisted the plaintiffs had been banned by the world football governing body.

The Supreme Court will decide on Thursday, whether to uphold the verdict of Justice Joseph Tur of the Appeal Court in his judgment in 2016 when he held that the discontinuation of the cases on October 30, 2014, which was affirmed by the court, stands.

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2018 FIFA World Cup: Super Eagles To Pocket $24m

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2018 FIFA World Cup: Super Eagles To Pocket $24m

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has said that the Super Eagles players stand the chance of pocketing $24 million if they play in the final of the 2018 World Cup.

Pinnick told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday during a parley that the money was part of the agreement reached with the players to share 50-50 whatever would accrue to the country if they get to the final and lift the trophy.

“I don’t put players under pressure. Pressure can be put on them unconsciously because we are creating enabling environment for them.

“If for example we don’t have money to prepare them, they can now relax but now, we have given them everything upfront and they should deliver.

“If today they get to the final, the World Cup money will be shared 50-50 between the team and the NFF.

“Winning the final is 48 million dollars, it means the team will get 24 million dollars and the football house will take the remaining 24 million dollars,” Pinnick said.

He also said that the adequate preparation, including grade A friendly matches have been secured with England and Czech Republic to ensure the team do well at the World Cup.

The NFF boss further said that glass house had already secured 2.8 million dollars to pay the players allowances and bonuses during the mundial.

“We are ready to play against England on June 2 in London in an international friendly. We had a conclusive meeting with the England FA.

“After the England match, we will play Czech Republic and from there we move to Russia. As it is everything is going on very well.

“For the world cup, I don’t think we have any problem, I am in touch with the technical committee. It is the desire of every Nigerian to see the Super Eagles do well at the World Cup.

“We had a meeting with the team, we signed a contract with them and ready to pay them 20 per cent of eight million dollars which is what is accrued to us for the World Cup.

“At the end of the day it amounts to 2.8million dollars which will go to the players. The money is almost 100 per cent ready,” Pinnick added.

Pinnick also explained that the football house met with some state governors who were ready to assist the NFF financially to achieve the country’s World Cup dream.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support for the NFF and the Super Eagles, and assured that they would not let him down in Russia.

2018 World Cup will run from June 14 to July 15 in Russia. 

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Super Eagles 1-0 Win Over Poland Will Boost Their Confidence In Match Against Serbia - Pinnick

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Super Eagles 1-0 Win Over Poland Will Boost Their Confidence In Match Against Serbia - Pinnick

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has said that the Super Eagles’ 1-0 win over Poland in a friendly on Friday, will boost confidence ahead of Tuesday’s game against Serbia.

Chelsea wingback, Victor Moses, scored the winner as Gernot Rohr’s men defeated their hosts at the Municipal Stadium in Wraclow.

The team arrived in London on Saturday evening via a chartered plane, ahead of the Serbia game.

Speaking via Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, Pinnick said he believes that the senior national team will keep improving with the result against Poland.

“Every member of the team is happy with the result, even the NFF President, who told the players after the match that he believes the result will boost their confidence against Serbia in their next international friendly match.

“He is also happy that the preparations towards the World Cup have commenced fully and he has also advised the players to show enough commitment to Nigeria’s participation in the World Cup,” he said.

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2018 World Cup: Super Eagles Will Win The Cup, NFF Boss, Pinnick Insists

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2018 World Cup: Super Eagles Will Win The Cup, NFF Boss, Pinnick Insists

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has reiterated his belief that the Super Eagles can win this year’s World Cup in Russia.

Nigeria is drawn in Group D alongside Argentina, Croatia, and Iceland.

Pinnick, who spoke at an event said that with hard work, prayers and support, the team can win the top prize

“Again, people say why do I say that Nigeria can win the World Cup. If you have a child, what do you wish for the child- for him to be the best and nothing else. And if you have a younger brother, what do you pray for him to achieve? To be better than you. So, I don’t have any regret saying that Nigeria can win the World Cup.

“From the hills of the northern part of Nigeria, to the thick forest in the South, to the aquatic splendour of western Nigeria and Lagos in particular, everybody says one thing in unison, which I want to borrow from the former United States President, Barack Obama, and that is, ‘Yes we can’ do it, and I believe we can do it going to the World Cup,” he said.

He assured that everything that the Eagles need to ensure that they do well at the tournament, has already been put in place.

“We have prepared our grounds, our players are very well motivated, the technical crew is very much excited, and the various committees have all been directed and mandated to sit up in making sure that our preparation is top-notch. We have given out our best, and we have done everything and we pray humanly that everything will work well for us.

“Exactly a week from today (Friday), we will be playing against Poland, five days thereafter we will play Serbia. Coming back to Nigeria, we will play against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Also on June 2, we will play against England and on June 6, we will be facing the Czechs and thereafter the team will move on to their venue in Russia, where it will begin the World Cup campaign,” he said.

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