The 55-year-old football administrator recalled how the Super Eagles secured qualification for the 2018 finals with two matches to spare despite being drawn in a difficult group.

“Algeria hadn’t lost in over 20 games, Cameroon were defending champions, Zambia were champions, and Nigeria was the least considered,” he said. “But guess what? We qualified with two games to spare, and we didn’t sleep.”

Reflecting on Nigeria’s elimination during his time in charge by Ghana in the 2022 World Cup playoffs, Pinnick noted that the Super Eagles exited on the away goals rule after two closely contested matches.

“We didn’t win, but we didn’t lose; we were knocked out by the away goals rule,” he said. “I took responsibility then, and I take responsibility now.”