The Punch reports that former NFF President Amaju Pinnick said the Super Eagles would have qualified for the 2026 World Cup if he had remained in charge of Nigerian football.
Pinnick referenced his administration’s experience with difficult qualification campaigns, pointing to Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup as evidence of administrative competence.
Channels TV and Vanguard also covered reactions, noting divided public opinion and skepticism from analysts about counterfactual claims of future success.
Echotitbits take: Pinnick’s remarks read like positioning for influence ahead of future football politics. While he can point to sponsorship and administrative wins, Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup complicates the legacy narrative. Expect the debate to intensify as NFF elections and team performance pressures converge.
Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/852490-2026-world-cup-pinnick-claims-super-eagles-would-have-qualified-under-his-watch.html 2026-01-30
Photo Credit: Premium Times
