Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, clocked 43 on Thursday.
The Delta-born football administrator became head of the Glass House in rather controversial circumstances in 2014.
Despite a fairly positive two years at the helms of affair, Pinnick is still unpopular amongst many football enthusiasts in the country.
The father of three once synonymous with unimaginable howlers could now be pardoned thanks to the new series of flux from Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.
However, we can’t help but smile each time we remember some of his blunders.
We take a look at five.
- Pep Guardiola of Africa
Pinnick likened Sunday Oliseh to Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, when the latter was being unveiled as Super Eagles manager in July 2015.
“Today is another historic day in the history of Nigeria football. Today we have been able to present the Pep Guardiola of Africa,” Pinnick remarked.
“We know that Sunday Oliseh can deliver. Talking to Sunday Oliseh, we are very excited, about his advancement.”
- Oliseh needs internship with Pep
Barely five months into Oliseh’s reign as coach, Pinnick who apparently wasn’t convinced by his employee, advised the gaffer to go learn the trade under Guardiola.
“This could be in a way of internship with big teams like Bayern Munich. And remember that Sunday Oliseh is the Pep Guardiola of Nigeria and it will be interesting for him to interface with Guardiola.”
- No foreign coach for Eagles
After a series of poor results with the Eagles, the pressure was beginning to mount on Oliseh but Pinnick insisted the tactician was the best choice and not a foreign coach.
“We’re not hiring a foreign or new coach or heavyweight coach. We’re happy and satisfied with Oliseh.”
Few months later, Pinnick himself appointed a foreign coach to replace the former midfielder.
- Why he missed Keshi’s burial
Pinnick was heavily criticised for being absent at the burial of ex-Super Eagles coach and skipper, Stephen Keshi. As expected, the controversial administrator gave another bizarre reason.
“I woke the next morning unwell, threw up. On my way to Illah, I was struggling but had to reverse immediately, I got a member to leave Port Harcourt to attend which he did.”
- I am a Warri boy
Pinnick’s two years in office has been marred by court cases involving factional president, Chris Giwa, with the 43-year-old insisting he won’t quit.
“Clearly, they are enjoying the anarchy and it’s slowing a lot of things, I must admit, but I won’t give up. I’m a Warri boy -we fight to the end. But believe me God loves this country, and at the end of the day, we all will smile. “
