NFF Reveals Arsenal Partnership

The Nigeria Football Federation has revealed that the meeting between its president, Amaju Pinnick and Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger ended on as “extremely positive and encouraging” note.

Pinnick and Wenger met at the latter's office at the Arsenal training ground to discuss several issues including the rising stock of Nigerian-born players at the club – Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi.

The NFF announced via a release made available to supersport.com that it was satisfied with the discussions with Wenger.

“As we had always known, Arsene is very knowledgeable; vast in his knowledge and appreciation of Nigeria as a footballing country, and widely philosophical in his general approach,” the NFF's new Special Envoy for the Federation on International Affairs, Tunde Adelakun said.

Speaking after the meeting, NFF president, Pinnick added that Wenger would not stand in the way of Akpom and Ajayi should they decide to play for Nigeria at senior international level.

“He (Wenger) told me that he has never stopped any player from opting for whichever national team he wants. He said to me that he always tells his players to follow their hearts and not allow people to push them.

“He further assured that if Nigeria extended a call-up to either or both of his players, he will have no objection if the players say they want to go,” Pinnick said.

Pinnick led the charge to Arsenal to enlist Wenger's support in “the process of rebuilding the country's football” and he was not disappointed.

“Arsene told us that he will gladly do what he can to assist where we want, and has already started giving encouraging signs towards the capacity building exercises for our coaches at all levels,” he said.

The NFF president also met with parents of Nigerian footballers based in the United Kingdom, assuring them of their sons' safety and progress should they choose to wear the colours of Nigeria.

There is a huge number of Nigerian footballers, many born and raised in the United Kingdom, but who have expressed a desire to play for the Super Eagles.

SUPERSPORTS