Amaju Pinnick, president of the
Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), wanted to kick out Ahmad Ahmad as president
of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), so he could take over, insiders revealed.
It was revealed that Pinnick was booted out as the next man to the CAF’s president because he
does not support Ahmad as is expected of him as a deputy.
Pinnick replaced Kwesi Nyantakyi
on July 5, 2018, following a FIFA ban on Ghana’s former FA president.
Ahmad believed Pinnick had set up
some journalists of clout to help bring his tenure to an end before his term
expires.
Another source familiar with the
matter also revealed that Pinnick did not back Ahmad on the decision by FIFA to
appoint Fatma Samoura as Africa delegate to help conduct a forensic audit on
the running of the continental body.
It was also alleged that the
former Delta state commissioner of sports declared war on the Malagasy man
after Mouad Hajji, acting general secretary of CAF, responded to Nigeria’s
Special Presidential Investigative Panel’s correspondence on the clarification
NFF payment of $500,000 to the continent’s body in 2015.
A CAF topshot, who spoke, said Pinnick embarked on the mission of getting the CAF’s president
out of office to get himself to the seat.
“Pinnick brought this on himself
because of his arrogance,” the insider revealed.
“He felt he could get Ahmad out
of the way for him to be installed as the CAF. His personal ambition blind-sided
him, forgetting that he attained the 1st Vice President position on Kwesi’s ban
from FIFA.
“He was not elected but selected
because the president thought he could be trusted and that he could help in
steering African football forward.
“But Ahmad could not continue
with such a person as his 1st Vice President.”
PINNICK’S SIDE OF THE STORY
According to a press statement by
Ademola Olajire, NFF’s media director, Pinnick’s tenure as the 1st vice
president of CAF was not extended at the 32nd Executive Congress held at
Marriot Hotel, Cairo on Thursday.
“In line with Article 22(4) of
the CAF Statutes, every two years when elections are held at the CAF Congress
(as took place today), the CAF Executive Committee on the proposal of the CAF
President, elects a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice President respectively from among its
members,” the statement said.
“Significantly the renewal of
Amaju Pinnick’s tenure was not proposed by the CAF President because of
fundamental differences on focus and direction.
“Pinnick accepted the decision of
the President as it aligned with his own view having considered matters
surrounding the administration of African Football which has dovetailed into
the Nigerian Football space.
“He will, however, remain a
bonafide member of the CAF Executive Committee to continue with his mandate as
such.”
Pinnick was quoted to have said
his commitment to the game is perpetual.
“It has however been an excellent
opportunity to serve as the number two football administrator in the entire African
continent and my commitment to the game is perpetual while my support for my
colleagues in the Executive Committee remains steadfast,” Pinnick was quoted to
have said.
“I congratulate, Omari, Lekja and
Danny on the assumption of their new roles as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice CAF
Presidents respectively.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com