Wenger to fine tune Nigerian football

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick, has stated that manager of English Premiership side, Arsenal FC, Mr. Arsene Wenger, has agreed to support the process of rebuilding the country’s football.
Pinnick stated that “Arsene told us that he will gladly do what he can to assist where we want, and has already started giving encouraging signs towards the capacity building exercises for our coaches at all levels”.
Pinnick, Tuesday, held what was generally described as an “extremely positive and encouraging” meeting with Mr. Wenger.
The legendary manager met with the NFF executives at his office at Arsenal FC’s training ground where a wide range of issues were discussed, including the rising stock of Nigerian-born players like Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi at the club.
After the meeting, Pinnick, who was accompanied by the new Special Envoy for the Federation on International Affairs, Tunde Adelakun, said: “As we had always known, Arsene is vast in his knowledge and appreciates Nigeria as a footballing country and his widely philosophical in his general approach,” he said, assuring that, contrary to what is reported about some clubs in Europe trying to steer their players to play for the countries where they live, Wenger was emphatic on what should be.
“He told me that he has never stopped any player from opting for whichever national team he wants. He said to me that he always tells his players to follow their hearts and not allow people to push them. He further assured that if Nigeria extended a call-up to either or both of his players, he will have no objection if the players say they want to go.”
Meanwhile, Pinnick has held a meeting with parents of Nigerian footballers based in the United Kingdom, assuring them of their sons’ safety and progress should they choose to wear the colours of Nigeria.
He told them, “Most of your sons have the option to wait for their chance and play for England, Wales or Scotland”, he said, “and the fact that you are steering them in the direction of playing for their country of origin is laudable and I really appreciate it,” Pinnick said.
The NFF President stated that he would like to see youngsters who, in his words, “have been exposed to the scientific methods of football in terms of coaching, amenities and equipment as well as discipline in areas of fitness and nutrition” to build a new-look Super Eagles team that would conquer the world.

-Ripples

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