The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has dismissed fears that the federation may be facing challenges preparing the Super Eagles for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Pinnick told newsmen in Abuja, yesterday that he is fully in charge of the Super Eagles’ World Cup preparation and he will leave no stone unturned to ensure that Nigeria have a successful campaign in Russia.
The CAF Executive Committee member was full of praise to President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government for creating enabling environment and stability in the nation’s football for NFF to strive.
“We are not facing any challenge, and I would like to thank the government of Nigeria for create enabling environment for us strive. The government has given us all the support and more importantly create that stability we always sought for in football. The government has really done well by given us financial support to reach our goal. I thank the Minister, who has been a major supporter of our programme.
“Talking about the World Cup, I don’t we have any issue because I speak to the technical officials, especially the coaches every day, and I am also in touch with the technical committee.
“I am totally in charge of the World Cup and I don’t delegate functions that are crucial because the desire of every Nigerian is for Super Eagles to do well at the World Cup.
“So, I don’t think there is any challenge. We had a meeting with the team in November and we signed agreement with them that 30 percent of the FIFA money which is $2.8billion will be pay to them. I am a very transparent person and every detail on bonus for each match and up to the final as well as share of income from FIFA money was agreed on.
“I am not one of the presidents of the federation that don’t talk about money and you find every detail of it. The $2.8 million we agreed with the players is almost 100 percent already for them to collect whenever they come. We met couple of State governments and even make presentation to FIFA in raising the money and I can assure that the money is 100% certain for them to collect,” he said.
