INFANTINO’S VISIT, PINNICK’S NEW POLITICS AND THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL
The Fifa president’s recent visit to Abuja was a moral victory for Amaju Pinnick’s administration as well as an opportunity for federation chiefs to chart a new path. Football’s biggest personality was in Abuja last week as part of moves to reposition Nigerian football in an era when its fortunes have tumbled faster than a deluge. Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, visited Nigeria alongside secretary general Fatma Samoura as the administration of Amaju Pinnick got a shot in the arm. Infantino met with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Villa and shared with him the changes that are taking place in the world of football. Both men shared their common struggles, having to clean up the Augean stable after their predecessors and the massive work of forging a new image for their different constituencies. While Infantino’s visit must have cost a fortune to put together in such a time of belt tightening both in public service and corporate practice, the gains it is hoped wil...