Okpala, others want Pinnick to contest CAF presidency

Some football enthusiasts have backed the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, to contest for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football in 2021.

Football-loving Nigerians said Pinnick possessed the pedigree to challenge for the position of CAF presidency given his achievements in Nigerian, African and global football.

The former Delta FA boss played a significant role in the ouster of Cameroonian Isa Hayatou, who reigned for 29 years, and the emergence of Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad as CAF boss in 2017.

Former international, Sylvanus Okpala said those who held the position previously weren’t better than the NFF boss.

“Since Isa Hayatou’s era, which spanned over 20 years, then Ahmad came in in 2017, is there anyone of these people that we have mentioned that Pinnick cannot be better than?

“Individuals, government and everybody should rally round Pinnick, as Nigerians, and support him to contest. If he wins, it is victory for Nigerian, African and global football," Okpala said.

Sports journalist Godwin Enakhena said Pinnick had what it took to lead CAF.

“He can lead CAF with his pedigree and charisma. He can bring more innovation to the body and change the face of African football," Enakhena said.

Olufemi Ayodele, a businessman in Computer Village, Lagos, said, “Pinnick should contest for the CAF top position. We support it. He has leadership qualities, which he has shown in the NFF. Also, I think it’s time Nigeria produced a CAF president.”

The Chairman, Ondo State Football Agency, Tajudeen Akinyemi, said, “Look at what he has done with the national teams, nothing like the issues we used to have in the past. He is good enough to be CAF president. All we need to do is to support him at every point towards clinching that position.”