By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 10, 2024

Former President, Nigeria Football Federation and member of the FIFA council, Amaju Pinnick, is still haunted by Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, The PUNCH reports.

Amaju made this known during an interview session with Arise TV on Thursday.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a 1-1 aggregate score with fierce rivals Ghana, to crash out on the away goal  rule.

Almost two years after, Pinnick, who was the NFF president at the time, said he remained haunted by the country’s failure to take part in the biggest football tournament and urged the current NFF to give new coach Finidi George the desired support to succeed ahead of next month’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Nigeria currently sit third in Group C with just two points after two games played.

 “Backroom staffing is more scientific right now. If he (Finidi) says he needs three backroom assistants, perhaps one for goalkeeper training, the others are for other positions.

“We have huge talents in Nigeria both on and off the pitch; you cannot but see that Nigerians are everywhere.

 “The assistant coaches are the engine room of the success of any coach because they see what the coach can’t see. They call his attention to things that he cannot see even before games. It is the backroom staff that makes up the team.

“The coach is just like the leader, he harmonises and streamlines everything that they tell him and puts it to use but it goes beyond that.

“But then, it depends on funding from the federation, but I think it is not out of place. Finidi should be allowed to do what he wants to do. But if there is a paucity of funds, they can discuss it with him because we have critical matches.”

Pinnick added, “I cannot imagine Nigeria not being at the next World Cup, it is unthinkable. Even the last one that we didn’t attend is still haunting me because I was the leader of the federation at that point.

“So, we must do everything possible to ensure that we get to that point where we can qualify.”

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 10, 2024

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