Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, regrets Super Eagles absence from the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Pinnick believes the world cup would have been perfect for some Super Eagles stars, precisely Victor Osimhen of SS Napoli.
Recall the Super Eagles lost tickets to Black Stars of Ghana after playing a 1-1 draw at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
With the Super Eagles missing, Senegal, Morocco and Ghana have been impressive and they are holding their own against the best in the World.
Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, Pinnick, who is currently in Qatar, working with FIFA took responsibility for Super Eagles’ failure, adding that team has great future and will be back,competing at the global football festival again.
“This [Qatar 2022] could have been Nigeria’s World Cup. Osimhen would have been like what Maradona was in 1986 in that World Cup,” Pinnick said.
“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.
“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.”
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.”
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