Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has attributed the Super Eagles’ inability to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup partly to the revised qualification format adopted by football authorities.
Speaking on Monday at a sports dialogue event in Ikoyi, the FIFA Council member argued that had the qualification structure remained consistent with the 2018 model, the national team would have likely booked their ticket to the global showpiece.
A Heated Exchange
The remarks came during a tense Q&A session where Pinnick faced scrutiny regarding his influence within international football bodies. Abayomi Ogunjimi, President of the Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club, questioned how Pinnick utilized his positions as former CAF First Vice President and FIFA Council member to aid Nigeria, pointing out that the country missed the 2022 World Cup during his tenure and is set to miss the 2026 edition as well.
Pinnick pushed back against the notion that the 2022 failure was a reflection of poor leadership. He insisted that the team was undone by technicalities in the qualification framework rather than outright defeat.
“You said we did not qualify under me. We did not lose, and we did not win,” Pinnick stated.
He drew a sharp comparison to the 2018 campaign, which he described as a benchmark for success.
“If they had followed the same format they followed in 2018, where we were in the most difficult group in the history of football with Zambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Algeria we had two games to spare and qualified for the World Cup.”
Defending His Legacy
To bolster his defense, the former NFF boss highlighted key victories achieved during his administration, including friendly wins against heavyweights like Argentina and Poland, as well as a strong showing against England.
He also took credit for the commercial success of the national team’s brand, specifically referencing the negotiation of the iconic jersey deal with Nike. “This jersey you are seeing today, I sat with Nike, and I told them to freestyle,” he revealed.
Influence Behind the Scenes
When pressed on whether his high-ranking positions in CAF and FIFA translated into tangible benefits for Nigerian football, Pinnick claimed his tenure saw unprecedented administrative inclusion.
“What I can tell you is that during my period as a member of the CAF Council, I had a minimum of twenty-five Nigerians in various committees. That was unprecedented,” he asserted. He noted that Nigerians now hold spots on vital bodies, including the FIFA Ethics Committee and the Media Committee.
However, he remained guarded about specific interventions, suggesting that diplomatic maneuvers in football governance often require discretion. “There are some things that are better left unsaid. Those who know, know,” he remarked.
Moving Forward
Despite the team’s absence from the upcoming tournament, Pinnick emphasized his continued relevance on the global stage, noting his role as vice president of the committee for the 2026 World Cup. He described this position as critical not just for Africa, but for the world.
He concluded by urging stakeholders and fans to shift their focus from constant criticism to celebrating milestones.
“We should be emphasizing only the positives,” Pinnick advised. “We only emphasize negatives, and it does not take us anywhere in this country.”
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