Amaju Melvin Pinnick rose from his seat inside the Marriott Mena House in downtown Cairo on Wednesday afternoon without any negative emotion.

He had just lost his seat on the FIFA Council (that hallowed panel of only 37 persons who rule world football), even if so narrowly.

But his character and charisma remained in place and he was unbowed. Instead, he was full of gratitude to God and a throng of persons.

“When I started 26 years ago, as a volunteer at the FIFA U20 World Cup that Nigeria hosted, I never dreamed of reaching these heights.

“Never thought I could become the number one administrator of football in Nigeria (and for eight years for that matter), play key roles in African football and easily mingle with the world’s top football governors.

“I have only gratitude to give to the Almighty God, to those who have helped me one way or the other and to all those I have met on my way.

“Football politics is fierce, but I am proud to have fought a good fight. I campaigned hard; travelled to more than 30 countries.

“Hours before the election, I was sure of close to 40 votes. But politics happened. I am not bitter about anything, just full of gratitude to everyone who supported my push.”

The former NFF President, who also served as First Vice President of CAF between 2018 and 2019, thanked Nigeria’s president,  Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a person and the Government of Nigeria as a whole, as well as FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino, NSC boss Shehu Dikko, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and those he called friends in government and the corporate world.

“I am drawn to tears by the support of President Tinubu, right from the time he publicly endorsed my candidature. I am most grateful and do not take anything for granted. “I cherish my relationship with Gianni (Infantino) and appreciate his sincerity. I thank the National Sports Commission led by Shehu Dikko.

“The NFF, particularly Ibrahim Musa Gusau, were amazing in their push. Kudos also to my friends in government and the corporate world.

“I was to be no more than the head of NFF electoral committee back in 2014, but fate catapulted me to the presidency, and I became the youngest-ever Nigerian in world football’s supreme council. I am more than fulfilled.” 

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Brazilian soccer great Ronaldo said that he was pulling out of the race to be president of his country’s football association (CBF) on Wednesday after failing to gather enough support from regional federations to present a candidacy.

The 48-year-old, a former Ballon d’Or winner and two-time World Cup champion, announced his intention to run for the presidency in December in an attempt to “recover the prestige and respect that Brazil always had” following years of controversies involving CBF chiefs.

However, the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid forward came to the conclusion that he would not be able to challenge current president Ednaldo Rodrigues who has the support of almost all the electorate.

“On my first contact with the 27 regional federations, I found 23 closed doors. If the majority of decision-makers believe that Brazilian football is in good hands, it doesn’t matter what I think,” Ronaldo said in a statement published via his social media channels.

“The federations refused to receive me in their homes, on the grounds of their satisfaction with the current administration and support for (Rodrigues’) re-election.

“I was unable to present my project, put forward my ideas and listen to them as I would have liked. There was no openness to dialogue.

“The statute gives the federations the strongest vote, so it’s clear that there’s no way I can run. Most of the local leaders support the incumbent president, that’s their right and I respect it, regardless of my convictions.”

The electoral college is made up of the 27 regional federations, allocated three votes each, while the 20 top-flight Serie A clubs are given two votes each and the 20 second-tier Serie B sides, one vote each.

Rodrigues is expected to be the lone candidate in next year’s election.

-Reuters

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BY MITCHELL OBI

When it comes to seeking a place in CAF and FIFA, Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick should avoid anything to do with Cairo, the Egyptian capital and home of the Nile.

 Indeed, this Cairo he should strive to see no more.

 I recall vividly how he looked like L’Etranger and how only a fingerful of us tried to console and comfort him after losing the first vice Presidency of CAF in the dispensation of the Island boy Ahmad.

It was a low moment for the one who could easily have become CAF President when the then incumbent Ahmad was briefly arrested in Paris.

 It was difficult that day at the Marriott Hotel to have a drink as we were all touched by the way our colleague Osasu weaved the story of Amaju’s lonesome displacement by Ahmad.

 Today, in the same Cairo, just by one vote, he lost the opportunity to have a repeat representation in the FIFA Council of Africa’s most populous and passionate nation. Winning and losing are marks for sportsmen, but when victory in an election is lost by a vote it compares to the pain of missing a sudden death shootout.

 Only time would tell whether Cairo would one day provide a healing balm for the former czar of Nigerian football.

 Sadly, the anglophone voice will be missing in the FIFA Council and it is left to imagine what his staunch friends, Gianni Infantino and Patrice Motsepe would be whispering to him.

Some time to play the game, you must only be useful as they think you are useful. Just like he worked extremely hard and wide to get Ahmad elected and then got betrayed, so also today we are counting on a president whom he virtually nominated, sold and canvassed to us all for his acclamation.

Motsepe does not like to stay in Cairo, but he must find a befitting role for a friend indeed and in need.

Can we see a co-opted member of the CAF Exco from Nigeria…Don’t need to go to the pyramids to give good comfort to a true Gunner for life!

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