– The essence of the FIFA president’s visit is debatable
– The timing is similarly questionable in the light of the NFF presidency squabbles
– The NFF president, Amaju Pinnick has been under pressure in the face of his handling of the international embarrassment of the purported appointment of Le Guen as the new Super Eagles coach
– Ambassador Giwa’s suitability for the role also leaves a bitter taste in the mouth by chickening out of his vow to receive the FIFA president
– Visit marred by protest demanding NFF president Amaju Pinnick resignation
In the face of the on-going saga of the power struggle between the Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick and the presumptive president, ambassador Chris Giwa at home and the internal witch-hunt of the world football governing body president, Gianni Infantino, the essence of the visit is debatable. And the timing is similarly questionable in the light of the NFF presidency squabbles.
In a period when the two president’s integrity and commitment to reform are under scrutiny, they both decided it is the right time to meet for what appears to be a public relation exercise. The benefit to both presidents is unclear.
A public relation stunt, probably to promote his dwindling acceptability as NFF president despite a court order to leave the office for his protagonist Chris Giwa.
Infantino arrived in Nigeria on Sunday along with FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura on a two-day working visit. His first official appearance in Africa since his election as the new FIFA president.
Where exactly did the NFF got the money for the lavish reception when staff salaries, including the alleged salary of the former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh are yet to be paid is the question on everyone’s lips.
A tale of Pinnick and Giwa woes
The NFF president, Amaju Pinnick has been under severe pressure with many calling for his resignation in the face of his and his board’s scandalous handling and the international embarrassment of the purported appointment of former Paris St German coach, Frenchman Paul le Guen as the new Super Eagle’s coach.
Pinnick’s presidency has overseen numerous national failures; maltreatment of former Super Eagles coaches – the Late Stephen Keshi and Sunday Oliseh, unpaid salaries to staff at the glass house, non payment of salaries to coaching teams in all categories of football, de-motivation and demoralisation of players by withholding player bonuses – leading to failure to qualify for the AFCON 2015 and 2017, non provision of jerseys, inability to secure sponsors for the National teams, players welfare neglect, to name but a few.
It is safe to say that the NFF president has been distracted by his never-ending power tussle with Ambassador Chris Giwa.
The presumptive president, Ambassador Giwa on the other hand, has promised so much and delivered so little. He triggered a near stampede at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport on Sunday after vowing to receive the FIFA president on his visit.
A move that could have potentially created an ugly and chaotic scene, he was either rightly advised or chickened-out. It was no surprise though as he has a previous, a record of farce. The same way he goofed when he threatened to take over the glass house a few months ago with a glaring non appearance.
A tale of Infantino’s woes
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has been reeling in the short time as the head of world football governing body, ranging from a recently leaked audio tape where he lamented about having to pay for his own laundry, resignation of the former audit and compliance Chief, Dominica Scala, to an ethics committee probe into how the president can afford a 15 million pounds house.
Infantino has also raised eyebrows with the replacement of now defunct executive committee with FIFA council. Hiring and firing of judicial members and compromising committee independence have not gone down so well either.
Saraki and Infantino
Protest
The FIFA President’s visit was overshadowed by a protest at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, calling for the resignation of NFF boss Amaju Pinnick over his incompetence and illegal stay in office. A protest led by former Nigerian international Emeka Ezeogu, they were carrying placards and banners demanding he resign – ‘Pinnick Must Go’ they read.
It is the second protest this year demanding his resignation, the first being by the Nigeria Sports Marketers Association in April when hosted by the Sports and Youth development minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung.
Reactions
During the two-day visit, the FIFA president and his entourage attended some NFF projects, met with important dignitaries including President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock and the National Assembly.
Ordinary citizens up and down the country have been voicing their disgust and dissatisfaction on talk shows and radio.
Former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde was among those to question the benefit of the visit to the development of football in the country.
“I think that is left for our administrators. They knew why they invited him. They should tell us what we stand to gain,” he said. It remains to be seen, which faction of the warring parties will partner the world governing body to realise any achievement of this visit if any.
Way forward?
Infantino has come and gone while football continues to lag behind in Nigeria. The meeting with other FA Chairmen across Africa in Abuja during his visit is an eye-opener and the motives can be questioned when the Number one football man in Africa, Issa Hayatou is nowhere to be found – this is strange.
When investigated further, a top NFF executive who pleaded anonymity told this website in confidence that Amaju Pinnick is eyeing the office of the CAF President – maybe it is time for Hayatou to hand the office over to a much younger person.
Someone once said that our inability to make it to two consecutive African cup of nations was political, a claim no one has come out to openly accept or deny. One can wonder of Nigerian football will not be witch-hunted by the powers that be in Africa football because of the meeting held by other FA president in Abuja.
Pinnick, however, who has been labelled by some as the worst President of the NFF in recent era, still has two years to leave a lasting legacy in Nigerian football by sending us back to the glory days.
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