By Amaechi Agbo

President, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has expressed umpteenth time his resolve to run for the FIFA Council position even as he reiterated that he is not Contesting for NFF president’s third term.

Speaking on his birthday as he marked 50th years on Earth on Monday, Pinnick noted that although “things will change in the coming days” however, his decision not to run third in office as NFF president is final.

“I have consulted wide and this is the route I feel comfortable to take for now. Membership of the FIFA Council also confers a lot of responsibility on one and you have the opportunity to make crucial contributions to the running of world football.

“Things may change in a couple of years, but for now, I am going for the FIFA Council based on the consultations I have had and the plan that is on ground.”

On NFF third term, he said “No way! I made my decision even before earning the second mandate on 20th September 2018. I will not be running for the NFF Presidency again.

“I want to thank the Members of the Congress, my colleagues on the Executive Committee, Management and Staff, and stakeholders of the game for their support. I will be stepping off in 2022 to give another person the opportunity to lead Nigeria Football. That is the truth,” he said.

Speaking on CAF Presidency, the former Delta State Football Association boss said he is supporting South African candidate Patrice Motsepe

“For the CAF Presidency, we are supporting the aspiration of Dr Patrice Motsepe of South Africa. We believe he has the clout, means and organizational savvy to take CAF from its present low level to a place of regard and respect among the six confederations of FIFA.”