The NFF President Amaju Pinnick believes only a business-minded person can steer the ship of African football successfully. This if the continent must be at par with global soccer.
FIFA Review Committee has cleared Pinnick to seek a position for the FIFA Council in the CAF Ordinary General Assembly. The 43rd to come on 12th March in Rabat, Morocco, spoke with BBC bureau in Lagos in this regard.
Among others, Pinnick revealed that he decided to throw his weight behind South Africa’s businessman and billionaire, Patrice Motsepe, in the forthcoming CAF Presidential election because of his leadership quality and business orientation.
“CAF should have a successful businessman as its next president.” He said. “If you are a successful businessman, the way you think is always different from other people. That is why I am supporting Patrice Motsepe to become the next CAF president.”
Fifa Review Committee cleared Mamelodi Sundowns owner Motsepe, as well as Mauritania FA president, Ahmed Yahya. As Fifa should go through their applications before validation for the March 12 CAF Congress. They will compete against Ivory Coast’s Jacques Anouma and Senegal FA president Augustin Senghor. While suspended CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad, is declared ineligible for the election. As he continues to serve his five-year ban from football-related activities. The interim CAF president, Constant Selemani Omari, is also not qualified for a seat in the FIFA Council. this because of an ongoing formal investigation by FIFA Ethics Committee.
Meanwhile, Pinnick has urged delegates for the 43rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly slated for Rabat, Morocco, to ‘think Africa’ while casting their votes for the FIFA Council candidates.
“The voters should think Africa. When you think Africa, you think about the future of African football.” He said.
If Pinnick wins, he will become the third Nigerian to seat on the FIFA Council after Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo and Dr Amos Adamu. They who had represented the continent on the hallowed chambers of world football governing body.