The newly elected Executive member of Confederation of African Football (CAF) and President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick has been urged to make impact in representing Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Monday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Youths and Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba explained that Africa was full of boardroom politics as far as the game of soccer was concerned.
He expressed that it was a good development in African sports, an election that threw up Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar as the new President of the continental football body and Pinnick as one of the executive members.
“The outcome of the election portends good omen for Nigeria with the ouster of the former CAF President, Issa Hayatou and our own NFF President as one of the executive members”, Ogba said.
He decried the unjust treatment to the nation’s football organ by the ousted Isa Hayatou in his 29 years as CAF administrator, which never favoured Nigeria in any way.
“For most of the 50 years of CAF existence as the administrator of football competitions among African Countries, Nigeria has always been shut out of the boardroom politics which is very critical to what takes place at field of play.
“But with Pinnick on board, Nigeria expects nothing but very impactful representation with attendant development like Nigerian referees being more involved in officiating CAF and FIFA matches “
He was optimistic that Pinnick’s executive membership of CAF will surely serve as the needed tonic for Nigeria to qualify for 2018 World Cup competition.
Ogba assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will fast track passage of a bill seeking for NFF autonomy in running football administration in the country in line with the set standard of FIFA.
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