2022 World Cup: Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick apologizes for Nigeria absence

Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has expressed his regret over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the ongoing Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the biggest sporting event in the world after failing to beat Ghana in the final playoff clash in March.

With upsets witnessed so far in the ongoing tournament, Saudi Arabia and Japan defeated Argentina and Germany respectively in group opening matches, the erstwhile NFF supremo insisted that this year’s World Cup could have been Nigeria’s breakthrough tournament.

“Like I told the African teams [like Senegal and Morocco], we want an African team to win it [ the World Cup], but if you people don’t, Nigeria will be the first to win it, maybe in the next World Cup,” Pinnick told Arise TV.

“When they are playing on the field, I take them as Nigerian. And again, I will apologize to Nigerians, and I take responsibility as the then president of the Federation, but I believe we have gone beyond that now.”

A number of Europe based top stars are worst hit by the absence of the West African nation, notably Victor Osimhen and Pinnick believe the Napoli star would have shone like Maradona in 1986 in that World Cup.

“This [Qatar 2022] could have been Nigeria’s World Cup. Osimhen would have been like what Maradona was in 1986 in that World Cup,” he added.

“Let us enjoy the World Cup. Qatar has given us a wonderful spectacle to behold, and I believe we should enjoy it. I am a proud Nigerian and am happy to be here to represent the country with dignity at any time.”