Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has showered praise on Changchun Yatai of China striker, Odion Jude Ighalo for staying patient at a point he was not scoring for the Super Eagles.
Sports247.ng reports that Pinnick took his mind abck to the World Cup in Russia, when Ighalo was pilloried by Nigerian soccer fans and pundits for failing to score in crucial matches against Argentina and Croatia.
However, the NFF boss noted further that, instead of showing anxiety and frustration, Ighalo stayed calm and did not allow the situation get the better of his reasoning.
Pinnick said it was Ighalo’s cleared headed ability under pressure that accounted for the striker’s ability to enact a strong resurgence, which saw him use only three matches to become top scorer in the AFCON 2019 qualifiers, as he hit one against Seychelles and five versus Libya.
Pinnick stressed that Ighalo is a definition of patience, perseverance and fortitude, whose experience he says is worthy of study by the average Nigerian youth seeking success when confronted with challenges.
Pinnick declared: “Ighalo has become the metaphor for success on the back of perseverance, continued improvement and patience.
“For several months he was looking to score for the (Eagles) but it did not happen. He never gave up, and the coaches kept their belief in him.
“Then, in only three days, he scored five goals. There is nothing drive and doggedness cannot achieve.”
Pinnick stated further during an event, which he celebrated yuletide with partners, friends and players at his residence, that criticsm of the NFF is welcome, but interjected that it should be what would help to improve Nigerian football, not to bring it down.
He added in a chat with sports247.ng: “We welcome criticism, as long as it is constructive and fort he purpose of correction.”
