FIFA Boss, Blatter, Hails Pinnick-led NFF’s Vision

FIFA President Sepp Blatter yesterday commended the energy, vision and drive of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

The world’s football supremo said at an afternoon meeting with NFF President Pinnick at the headquarter in Zurich that he has observed the innovation being brought into Nigeria football in the past few months and was hugely impressed by the new thinking and dynamism.

“First and foremost, let me commend you for the efforts that Nigeria make each time to participate in all FIFA competitions, and for qualifying for most of those competitions. Nigeria is a very important country in world football.

“I have followed with keen interest the innovation that your new team is bringing to Nigeria football with so much passion and conviction, and your new direction points to a very ambitious Federation.”

The FIFA President also congratulated in-coming President Mohammadu Buhari and out-going President Goodluck Jonathan.

“We commend the outgoing President Jonathan for his achievements in the football sector and for encouraging the Football Federation. The incoming President Buhari is also a passionate follower of the game of football, and we believe he will continue to encourage the NFF’s giant strides and Nigeria football generally,” Blatter added, saying that FIFA will always be there to support the NFF and Nigeria football in areas of development.

Pinnick also had separate meetings with FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who reiterated FIFA’s willingness to support Nigeria’s development programmes, and with FIFA’s Director of Technical Study Group, who pledged support for the NFF Technical Study Group and the NFF Technical Department.

The NFF President will this afternoon meet with the Chairman of The Football Association, Mr. Greg Dyke, at The FA office in London.