Pinnick-Giwa Face off will be the last Crisis in Nigeria Football ......Ex Secretary General

By David Ngobua As a former scribe of the NFA, what is the way out of the present crisis in Nigerian football? We can’t run away from the fact that there is a problem on the ground. The minister of Sports has just called some past FA presidents, General Secretaries, State FA Chairmen, State secretaries as well as prominent and relevant football stakeholders to help proffer solution to the lingering crisis in Nigerian football. The present crisis is not healthy for our football so the minister is also trying to find permanent solution to the problem. I happen to be a member of the committee that has been set up to look into the crisis. We are already working on peaceful resolution of the present crisis and how to forestall any reoccurrence. About three or four people have been mandated to make the necessary contacts with the factions. Surely, we are trying to find a lasting solution so that football will enjoy peace in this country. Many have accused the minister of lack of sincerity in tackling the ongoing crisis. Do you think he is committed to solving this problem? You see people have their own opinions and when you are given a responsibility as a leader, whether you like it or not people must criticise you. Many will criticise you, many will praise you, that is the burden of leadership but you have to take it. I wouldn’t want to dabble much into that because we have that penchant in this country but that shouldn’t stop him from doing his best to solve the problem before him. You see while some people are commending him for taking this step, some are of the opinion that he should have done this earlier than now. However, I say it is better late than never. It is not too late for us to find a lasting solution to this problem. We are working assiduously to see that football will not continue to suffer. I believe that this will be the last crisis in Nigerian football. How confident are you that Giwa and Pinnick will co-operate with the committee that is trying to resolve the present crisis? We are doing preliminary work and I can assure you that when the time comes, we should be able to get the two factions to sit down and thrash out these issues once and for all. Look Nigeria is bigger than any individual. Nigerians have passion for the game of football. It is one of the major sources of livelihood for Nigerian youths. So anything that will hamper the existence of football must be given all necessary attention. We are working hard to find a lasting solution. I believe we shall get the necessary co-operation. Are the ‘wise-men’ who are mandated to resolve this problem looking beyond the present crisis? We are looking beyond the problem between Pinnick and Giwa. As you are aware, there are issues on ground that led to the present crisis. If you cast your mind back, the problem has been there all along. It happened during the time of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and now it is happening again. So a lasting solution is what we are looking for. You were in Russia for the World Cup. How disappointed were you with Super Eagles performance? I wouldn’t want to say much about the Super Eagles performance in Russia. That was the best they could offer. The players were the best the technical crew could assemble. That was the result that we could get. What advice do you have for the team as the 2019 AFCON qualifiers beckon? I am sure the technical department of the NFF must have mapped out their own programme which the team will follow. However, we all know that early preparations before any tournament is important. They have a timeline so they should follow it and prepare well. My advice therefore is that there should be friendly matches for mistakes to be corrected before the tournament. What is your take on the recent bribery allegation levelled against one of the Super Eagles coaches, Salisu Yusuf? I have heard people’s comments but I think some just being hasty. Matters like these are usually investigated. It is for the NFF to investigate and come out with their findings. It is only then that we would be in a good position to make informed comments. For now, it will not be proper to call for the head of the coach when the veracity of the allegation is not yet ascertained. For now, it is mere allegation. This is not to say the report is not embarrassing. It is not good for the image of Nigerian football. So for now, I can only call for caution so that we do not vilify an innocent person, in case he is not guilty as alleged.