Former President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has revealed he put in a lot of work to convince Ademola Lookman to play for the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
Pinnick was President of the NFF between 2014 and 2022, and had huge success convincing players with Nigerian roots who were born in diaspora to represent their native side. This list includes players like Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun, Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Maduka Okoye, and Cyriel Dessers.
160725 Abuja July 25 2016 Pinnick 2nd r Front President of Nigeria Football Federation NFF welcomes Gianni Infantino l Front President of Federation of International Football Associations in Abuja Capital of Nigeria July 24 2016 Gianni Infantino arrived in Nigeria ON Sunday for a Two Day Official Visit Nigeria Abuja FIFA President Official Visit OlatunjixObasa PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
“I recall, just before he played his first game, there were correspondents that I needed. I had to rush to the Ikoyi club to meet his dad in ensuring that I got it personally. You can ask the dad, so, it was a lot of effort. A lot of people called me and wanted me to talk about the role that I played, but I wanted it to be organic. Thank God everything went well and like I said, we’re all very proud of him and this should be a turning point towards greater things for him,” Pinnick said in an interview with Ojb Sports.
Ademola Lookman became the sixth Nigerian player to take home the CAF Player of the Year award on Monday night in Morocco.