By Amaechi Agbo

Few days after the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF confirmed the reconstitution of the technical crew of the Super Eagles for the 2022 World Cup play-off against Ghana, the federation’s president, Amaju Pinnick have red riot acts to the Augustine Eguavoen-led coach staff declaring that qualification for the Qatar World Cup “is non-negotiable,” www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Amaju who was making his first comment since the team were eliminated from the just concluded 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Cameroon at the Round of 16, in a series of tweets on Thursday, said that qualifying for the World Cup which holds later this year as well as 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, in Cote D’Ivoire are the federation’s top priorities

“I would like to stress that qualifying for the Qatar World Cup is non-negotiable and we are doing everything possible to ensure this happens.

“Qatar 2022, in my opinion, is non-negotiable. Qualifying for the World Cup is our plan. Qualifying for next year’s AFCON is also built into our future plans.

“We will succeed, God willing

“We are also hoping to have a zoom call with all of our players as well. The essence is to ensure that issues any player might have is thrashed out so that we all have the same focus: qualifying for the World Cup,” he said.

On the AFCON ouster, the former First Vice President of the Confederation of Africa Football CAF, praised the players and technical team for doing a good job but lamented that despite playing “beautiful football”, the team were unlucky to suffered the elimination at the last 16 stage.

First off, I would like to thank our magnificent group of players, technical team and backroom staff for their stellar work at the just concluded 33rd AFCON. We played that competition to win it, but sometimes, you also need a bit of luck.

“After three wins, playing good football as well, we were unlucky in our Round of 16 match. Nevertheless, it was a brilliant showing by our team & showed the level of work the coaching crew put in.

“That has also been recognized by the latest @FIFAcom rankings placing Nigeria as the 3rd best on the continent.”

He congratulated the new continental champions, Senegal for their feat. “Congratulations to the Teranga Lions of Senegal  as well. We will see you at the finals of the next Nations Cup.