Change is Imminent in Nigerian Football – Pinnick

Speaking ahead of this week’s meeting of the Executive Committee scheduled for Lagos, Pinnick said the executive team will be invited to consider well –thought and properly –articulated proposals that will be diligently implemented to lead Nigeria football to a new, exciting thoroughfare.

“There are a lot of things that we want to do, and which we hope to seal at the meeting in Lagos. There is urgent need to buoy the domestic League, give it credibility and implement those measures that will bring back the glory days. We also must think of how best to prepare the National Teams for competitions, while also looking intensely at developmental programmes that will assure the future of our football.

“We must look at the way and manner we employ coaches into the National Teams; everything should be appropriately documented in order that we avoid litigations and situations of trainers being unhappy while doing their job. There must be a lot of professionalism in all these.”

The NFF boss also hinted at the Federation paying greater attention to player transfers, especially internationally. “Look at the cloud of controversy over the transfer of one of our brightest stars, Emem Eduok. That is a shame and should not happen. We will investigate this matter and come up with recommendations. Whoever is found culpable will have questions to answer.

“I am delighted that we now have Pricewaterhouse, Bain & Co and Financial Derivatives as external auditors, management consultants and financial consultants respectively, as approved by the Congress. These three companies will help us streamline things and achieve diligence and discipline in those specific areas in the Federation.”

He reiterated that the capacity enhancing programmes and exposure being given the elite referees now is to ultimately make them better arbiters, failing which they will be harshly dealt with.

“If, after the trips to the United Kingdom to see how things are being done and being engaged in practicals out there, and after our plan to boost their remuneration, we still find elite referees wanting, such persons will not only be blackmailed, they will also be prosecuted.”

It can be recalled that 17 highly –qualified persons, including renowned coaches and former international players, will also be in the United Kindgom for a three –week match reading and backroom analysis capacity –enhancing programme in a few weeks.

Pinnick warned that coaches and administrators who fail to identify swiftly with the new vision of doing things differently and in the interest of the nation’s football will be told in no uncertain terms to give way.

“What we intend to achieve at the end of the day, is in the interest of the coaches, the National Teams, the administrators, the referees and the game generally. Everyone who has the interest of the game at heart will easily key into these programmes. Those who will find it difficult are the people who have been used to impunity and have mortgaged the interest of our football for personal interest over the years. They will be thrown overboard without a second glance.

“I use this opportunity to call on all the stakeholders of the Nigeria game, including our vibrant media, to support the NFF as we move to arrest the decline and work hard to put Nigeria football on the road to an enviable destination.”