A former president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Melvin Amaju Pinnick has revealed how God used him to play a key role in the success story of Ademola Lookman.
Sports247.ng reports that the whole world is agog with details of how Pinnick played a pivotal role in ensuring Lookman made a switch of nationality from England to Nigeria in 2022.
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Just two years on, the former Waterloo, Charlton Athletic, Everton and Leicester City of England star, as well as ex-RB Leipzig of Germany winger, who now plays for Atalanta of Italy, is African Footballer Of The Year 2024, much to Pinnick’s delight.
The former NFF supremo, who is still a member of the executive committee of global soccer governing body, FIFA, admitted that the task of getting Lookman to play for Nigeria was not easy.
While reflecting on the thorny saga in getting a switch of allegiance for Lookman, who was part of England’s cup winning squad to the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup, Pinnick noted a particular incident when he had to rush around to procure some crucial documents for the process.
The football guru from Delta State revealed, “I recall what happened just before he played his first game for Nigeria.
“There were some correspondence that he needed, and I had to leave the team’s hotel in order to quickly meet his dad.
“Many people have often contacted me to speak on this issue, but I have avoided doing so because I wanted it to become organic; and that has now happened.”
While mentioning a role he also played in keeping Ahmed Musa in the Super Eagles’ main frame heading to the captain’s exploits at Russia 2018 World Cup, Pinnick praised God for ensuring that his efforts were not in vain.
“It was a lot of effort, and we thank God that everything went well (for Ademola Lookman).
“We are very proud of him, and this should be a tonic for greater things to come for him.
“I am not giving myself all the credit, but there are some things that God just inputs in me to say and do,” Pinnick philosophised.
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