President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Member of the CAF Emergency Committee, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick was the pivot of a crucial meeting in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan on Tuesday as the Confederation of African Football set into action the push for a $1billion lifeline for wholesale revamp of football infrastructure on the African continent.
The NFF supremo, recently elected into world football’s highest decision –making organ, FIFA Council, was in eminent company with the the the President of world football –governing body FIFA, Mr. Gianni Infantino, and the President of CAF, Dr. Patrice Motsepe as they paid a visit to the President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina in Abidjan.
“It was a very important meeting, as we started the push for our objective of raising $1billion to change the face of football infrastructure in Africa. You will recall that the CAF President made a statement regarding the need to raise this money for the sake of football infrastructure on our continent some weeks back. This new CAF regime is a doing team, not just a talking one. So, we have set out to work.
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“The President of FIFA was there as solidarity for the steps we are taking. We had a very useful and positive meeting with the President of the African Development Bank. Further talks are lined up. We are also going to meet with other institutions and individuals who have the means and the willingness to help African football to realise its potentials and break into the big time,” Pinnick told thenff.com.
The meeting in the Ivorian capital came only a few days after the inspection team of the Confederation of African Football released a report stating categorically that 22 of the 54 countries in Africa have no football pitch that meets the standard to host international matches.
Also at the meeting were CAF General Secretary, Mr. Veron Mosengo-Omba, and Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba.
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My own opinion is that the NFF President should expedite action on the change of Nationality on Ademola Lookman,Ejaria and Ike Ugbo who have declare their intentions and submitted all necessarily documents for processing. After two years according Owngoalnigeria.com the change of nationality is yet to be approved for Lookman and the Scottish FA officials are delaying the case of Ike Ugbo. We want Mr. Melvin Pinnick to use his influence at the FIFA Council to facilitate the process so that Coach Rohr can have options when it comes to wing play and even in the middle. Mr Pinnick over to you. And with the suggested postponement of the opening game of 2022 African Qualifier for World Cup due to bad infrastructural facility across Africa even Senegal included, we can use the window for friendly matches with other Nations to examine some of these players. I only hope the NFF has started looking at other alternatives should the first round of these qualifiers is postponed by organizing friendly matches for the Super Eagles. This is because the final decision will be pronounced on the 15th of May, 2021 by CAF. (bsnsports.com.ng)