•Nigerian Ref ‘ll officiate at World Cup

By Tony Ubani, who was in Addis Ababa

Nigeria’s latest entrant into the Executive Committee of Confederation of African Football, CAF,   Melvin Amaju Pinnick has promised that his election into the Executive Committee of African soccer-ruling body, CAF, would bring cheery news to the country.

After savouring his success at the 39th CAF Congress in Addis Ababa that blew away loquacious Benin Republic’s Moucharafou Anjorin by 32 votes to 17 to become the third Nigerian to serve on the Executive seat of CAF,   Pinnick has promised that a Nigerian referee would officiate at the World Cup, which remains the ultimate dream of any Referee and country.

Pinnick Amaju

“First things first, I want to see Nigerian referees getting considerations in officiating in top CAF competitions and most importantly, officiating at the World Cup”, the NFF President said.

Nigerian referees have become outcasts in CAF competitions but Pinnick said their relegation was not borne out of incompetence but out of dirty politics of not having anybody to put in words for them.

“With all sense of modesty, Nigerian referees are among the best in Africa. The time has come for a Nigerian to officiate at the global stage, which is the World Cup”. Pinnick also said that his victory at the polls would also see a Nigerian work at the CAF headquarters in Egypt.

Pinnick played a prominent role to see that African football wears a garb of change in mobilizing other like-minded Africans in overthrowing Issa Hayatou, 71, who ruled CAF with a tight grip for 29 years.

“It is not going to be about Nigerian interests. Together with a listening and pragmatic CAF President, Ahmad and other Executive members, we’re going to bring positive changes to African football”.

The NFF President, who was hailed by other African administrators for his tireless role in achieving a change of guard in CAF, said he was happy that he realized his dream of ensuring stability at home and gain global recognition.

“I’m not going to be a peripheral member in CAF but an integral member who will work for Nigerian football and ensure that African football competes favourably with the rest of world powers in the game”.