President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has said the quest to bring an independent and untainted candidate that would institute reform in the Confederation of African Football, CAF, made him jettison plans for contesting in the forthcoming CAF’s presidency.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Tv, Amaju disclosed that he had garnered the support of bigwigs in CAF but decided to nominate Patrice Motsepe of South Africa due to his unblemished character and business acumen in making Mamelodi Sundowns one of the best clubs in Africa.
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“Few months ago like-minded people and I in CAF came together and worked discreetly because a lot of people were not happy with the events that unfolded in CAF, which has to do with lots of impropriety.
“They decided to give me their support to ascend to the throne but my discussion with FIFA changed my thoughts.”
He stated that with FIFA planning to spend over 20 million dollars in Africa with the aim of building at least one, major stadium in each member state, it needs the enabling environment to achieve it.
“So at the end of the day we feel that we need somebody that is completely independent to ensure this huge reform would take place for CAF to compete with UEFA.
“The decision was not about me or the like-minded but about the continent so we decided to support the candidate of Dr. Patrice Motsepe. His candidacy is equally very important to Nigeria.”
However, he disclosed that he would be contesting for FIFA’s Executive Council, stressing that Nigeria being the most successful football nation in Africa has been at the periphery of football politics for long.
Pinnick, therefore, said his membership in the council would once again make Nigeria to have a solid voice in the football world.
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