Following a narrow defeat in his re-election bid for a FIFA Council Member seat, former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, insists he ‘fought a good fight.’
On Wednesday at the CAF General Assembly held in Cairo, Pinnick polled 28 votes, one short of 29 scored by Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Souleymane Waberi of Djibouti.
“Football politics is fierce, but I am proud to have fought a good fight,” Pinnick reflected on the election process.
“I campaigned hard; travelled to more than 30 countries. Hours before the election, I was sure of close to 40 votes. But politics happened. I am not bitter about anything, just full of gratitude to everyone who supported my push.”
The former NFF President, who also served as First Vice President of CAF between 2018 and 2019, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino and the Nigeria football fraternity.
“I am drawn to tears by the support of President Tinubu, right from the time he publicly endorsed my candidature. I am most grateful and do not take anything for granted.
“I cherish my relationship with Gianni (Infantino) and appreciate his sincerity. I thank the National Sports Commission led by Shehu Dikko. The NFF, particularly Ibrahim Musa Gusau, were amazing in their push. Kudos also to my friends in government and the corporate world.”
“Back in 2014, I was to be no more than the head of NFF electoral committee, but fate catapulted me to the presidency and I became the youngest-ever Nigerian in world football’s supreme council. I am more than fulfilled.”
The 54 year-old was first elected to the FIFA Council Seat in March 2021 during the 43rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly which was held in Rabat, the Moroccan capital.
