By Odili Ogochukwu –
The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has recounted some of the benefits that eluded Nigeria as it missed out of the 2022 World Cup to be hosted by Qatar.
Amaju reacted to special shirts and other sport kits NFF could have sold during the tournament that would commence in November.
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He lamented that the federation has missed the chances of selling more than ten million shirts alongside other special benefits.
Recall that during the last Africa Cup of Nations, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace gifted the Super Eagles of Nigeria $10 million per goal it scored.
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There were other privileges and opportunities Super Eagles enjoyed before it suffered a heartbreaking defeat from Tunisia and crashed out at round of sixteen.
Africa Investigative Magazine gathered that Super Eagles of Nigeria, upon qualification for the world cup could have received $12 million grant.
$2 million was preparation grant while $10 million was a participation fee from the world football organized body, FIFA.
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NFF President who was disappointed over the lost opportunities said even the players could have received $3.5 million from FIFA.
Hear him: “I can tell you the loss is monumental. It is unquantifiable. We have been working with our partners to make great plans for the World Cup.
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“For instance, if you had seen what Nike was bringing out for the World Cup, they would have sold a minimum of 10 million shirts. The players too would have received $3.5 million from the FIFA money.
“Since this dream of going to the World Cup was shattered, it has been so tough for us in the federation, especially me. You cannot imagine what we have been going through.
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“We did not leave any stone unturned as a federation. After our exit from the Africa Cup of Nations Cup (AFCON), we met immediately to start strategising.
“We went to London to hold meetings with the players and they were very enthusiastic and excited. They raised issues that they wanted us to take care of, from jerseys to playing pitch, to hotel to the aircraft that they would fly to Ghana with.
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“We addressed every issue they raised. We did everything we needed to do. We are bewildered. It was a monumental loss, not just to the federation, but to the Nigerian people.
“Nigerians should forgive us and I will take responsibility as the head of the federation and apologize. We did everything humanly and materially possible to make sure that they qualify,” he apologized.
