Kabungo's Death: Baribote Slams Pinnick For Choosing World Cup Draw Over National Interest

Kabungo's Death: Baribote Slams Pinnick For Choosing World Cup Draw Over National Interest

By Niyi Busari

Former Chairman of Nigeria Premier League, Victor Baribote has slammed the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick over his quick traveling for the World Cup draws in Qatar instead of staying back to settle the challenges facing the country when FIFA Medical Officer, Joseph Kabungo died at Moshood Abiola Stadium last Tuesday, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria having played a 0-0 draw with Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi drew 1-1 with in Nigeria four days later and the Black Stars of Ghana qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on away goal rule.

On Tuesday night, when the three-time African champions were knocked out of the five Nations that will represent Africa in Qatar, CAF Doping Official, Joseph Kabungo died of heart attack. Meanwhile, despite his death, Pinnick chose to travel to Qatar for the World Cup draw.

Reacting, Baribote accused Pinnick of not being patriotic to stay back as FIFA Council Member and defend Nigeria integrity during the challenging time by finding a way of manuovering Nigeria out of the mess instead of traveling and leaving the country in a mess.

"It is senselless to travel to an event that his absence would be understood by FIFA. After all, Nigeria needed him the most at that time because he is the only FIFA Council Member at the venue and could convince FIFA on what led to his death and kill and the rumours that he was stampeded to death.

"We have many FIFA Council Members at the World Cup draws in Qatar, so, why rushing out of the country if the love of the country is paramount to him. We know he would travel because he prefers self glorification at the detriment of anything including protecting the integrity of Nigeria.

Traveling days before an event in Qatar when there are many things the country is facing at home says a lot about his commitment to protect the country image and interest. And as such, he is not fit to continue in office ase the President of the Nigeria Football Federation." He concluded