Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president and FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick, says the Super Eagles have been given the best preparation for the clash against Ghana.
The Eagles will take on eternal rivals Black Stars of Ghana in the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs.
This is the first time both teams will be meeting in the World Cup qualifiers since 2001 during the race for qualification to the 2002 edition in Korea and Japan.
And ahead of Friday’s first leg Pinnick, speaking on NFF TV from Kumasi, stated that preparation for the playoffs had started immediately the Eagles crashed out of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
Also Read: ‘I Believe In My Team, Ready To Make Ghana Proud Against Nigeria’ Black Stars Coach, Addo
He praised the team’s official carrier, Air Peace, for their role in the preparation.
“We are very happy with our preparations, we started right from when we left the AFCON. We had a programme which the General Secretary drew up from the beginning. By God’s grace everything we have put in place we will be able to achieve but we are just being prayerful about the game.
“What we have done, we’ve been very consistent with our preparation, top notch hotels, top notch preparations, we went scouting because this is the first time we are playing in Abuja in a very long time and they were really excited. And again, they saw their plane, Air Peace, the beauty of our nation in terms of aviation so they were really excited.”
Pinnick addressed the incident where the Eagles were videoed jumping from the plane on to the stairs, absorbing Ghana of any blame.
“Unfortunately when we got to Ghana, though it’s not the fault of Ghana or Air Peace, we should understand that this is a make shift arrangement because less than 10 days ago was when this facility was approved. It’s a small city and the airport does not have the facility for such a big aircraft. I personally know the effort the Air Peace chairman made last night, up to 1am, myself, him and some of my members in ensuring they move that stairway to Accra and from Accra to Kumasi.
“But the good news about this town is that, Ghana, Nigeria we are one, is that they are building a new terminal that will have the jet way, the passenger’s tunnel and we are really excited about what we are seeing.”
Speaking further, he added:”We just want Nigerians to support and believe in what we are doing. We thank the government and the honourable minister. We thank everybody that has been very supportive. A lot of Nigerians are coming by road to (Ghana) and we want to thank everybody that made everything work.”
Also, the NFF Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi, praised Pinnick for doing everything possible to make sure the Eagles get the best of preparations.
“First, we have to thank the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, who went all out to make sure that every arrangements are put in place especially in cases where funds are not available but he was able to mobilise for support from outside to make sure that logistics are put in place. On Wednesday night, he was in touch with his colleague to make sure all arrangements are perfected.
Sanusi went on to praise the Ghana Football Association and the people of Ghana for their warm reception.
“Also, I must commend the Ghana FA and their community, they’ve shown real Afrcan solidarity. We say a big thank you to them and all our colleagues that came to this place.”
12 Comments
Nice job @pinnick led team
Na was o!
Even this BRIBE taker ma know GOD??
LMFAO!!
GOD is really MERCIFUL!!
Lol
Please let’s be mindful of our public comment especially when we don’t have evidence of what we are putting into public space.
God bless us.
Please sir tell our coach to stay focused on the game Ghana will come through the middle and wings please stay focused manage the game with good tactics score first and the pressure will be on them
Exactly what’s expected of Federation president, Super Eagles go for victory.
Only in Nigeria will somebody be doing a job that he’s being paid for and come out expecting to be praised. Pinnick……..there is no point telling us all these bcos that is what is expected of you to do and even more. W e will praise you once we get the desired result and that is when you can hold your head up and say I did a good job.
We don’t want a repeat of AFCON misfortune engineered primarily by you and your cohorts
Ive read this boast from Pinnick over the years in the attempt to absolve self from blame. The end justifies the means, and tonight will prove whether it was a wise decision to sack Gernot Rohr
@monkey post, please let’s be mindful of our language.
What else were you supposed to do, isn’t that your job to give the team a good preparation before an event, if you don’tgive them a good preparation, do you have a leg to stand on to demand answers if incase your demands are not met? Only fool will sing your praises for doing job, you did not do extraordinary it is your duty to give them all they need to make their outing stress-free.
Stop running to the media to make a fool of yourself and stop expecting to be praised for doing what you’re supposed to do.
As for our darling Super Eagles,we had about 2 months to prepare for this game so excuses will not be permitted. I charge you guys to go all out and grab the away win!
What else were you supposed to do, isn’t that your job to give the team a good preparation before an event, if you don’t give them a good preparation, do you have a leg to stand on to demand answers if incase your demands are not met? Only fools will sing your praises for doing your job, you did not do anything extraordinary it is your duty to give them all they need to make their outing stress-free.
Stop running to the media to make a fool of yourself and stop expecting to be praised for doing what you’re supposed to do.