Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has said that he wants an African team to win the World Cup in Qatar, but also apologised to Nigerians for the country’s absence at the tournament.
The Super Eagles missed out of the mundial after losing in the playoff to Ghana.
Pinnick also apologised to Nigerians over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the competition..
“Like I told the African teams [like Senegal and Morocco], we want an African team to win it [ the World Cup], but if you people don’t, Nigeria will be the first to win it, maybe in the next World Cup,” Pinnick told Arise TV.
“When they are playing on the field, I take them as Nigerian. And again, I will apologize to Nigerians and I take responsibility as the then President of the Federation, but I believe we have gone beyond that now.”
He added, “Let us enjoy the World Cup. Qatar has given us a wonderful spectacle to behold, and I believe we should enjoy it. I am a proud Nigerian and am happy to be here to represent the country with dignity at any time.”
