By Obaloluwa, Joshua, LAGOS
FIFA council member, Amaju Pinnick is pleased with the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint Eric Chelle new head coach of the Super Eagles.
Chelle’s appointment was confirmed by the NFF on Tuesday.
The decision has been widely criticised by pundits and former internationals.
Pinnick has however backed the decision of the NFF the Malian.
“I got a lot of calls when he was announced. I shook my head because before now, I had already done my intelligence about Eric and I came to realize that some people do not know him,” Pinnick told Arise News.
“They are just basing their argument on the colour of his skin. They are just being judgmental about the colour of his skin because he’s a black man not the content of his targets and his deliverables.”
The former president of the NFF also highlighted the Malian’s track record.
“He’s got a wonderful record. When he was in Mali, if you you at Mali the last two years they have been very consistent, consistent in the quality of their play,” Pinnick added.
“Based on what you have seen, statistics from Mali, out of 22 games, he won 14, he drew four (five) and lost just three, which shows that he is an offensive coach and Nigeria, traditionally, we are an offensive team.
“That has technically, automatically, and organically prepared him for the challenges to come.
“He’s not just a coach, he’s coming with a retinue of backroom staff – a set-piece specialist, match reader, goalkeeper coach.
“He’s also going to be supported by a retinue of backroom staff provided by the NFF Technical Department, so it’s not just him. “
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