November rankings will be used for 2022 WC play-offs draw – Pinnick confirms amidst Egypt Arab Cup fear

The Nigeria Football Federation president Melvin Amaju Pinnick has confirmed that the November FIFA rankings will be used for the Fifa World Cup qualification play-offs draw.

Various reports have been doing the round since the initial draw date was pushed to January 26 from its initial December 18th date.

Currently Nigeria are ranked fifth just behind Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria with Egypt closely following the Super Eagles in 6th position.

The first five ranked teams are expected to be seeded for the qualification play-offs draw while the remaining five teams are expected to be paired with them.

Egypt who are currently 6th are participating in the Arab Cup with the favourite tag, a win for them at the tournament would see them possibly overtake Nigeria in the next rankings and that could spell danger.

But Amaju Pinnick has allayed the fear stating the congress agreed to use the November rankings.

“What the CAF congress agreed on for the 2022 World Cup playoff round in March 2022, the November FIFA ranking will be used during the draw in January 2022.”

Pinnick also gave an update on Genort Rohr’s status and the Federations next plans.

“We have discussed with the Minister, we have a lot a new direction, I have to discuss with my Excutive Members. I will also come back to give feedback to the Minister.

“We are working in a close harmony with the Sports Ministry. We don’t want to hurt Nigerians, we are looking at our decision from objective perspective. Trust me, what ever we are doing, it will be in the interest of the country.

“We have looked at all the documentation, I can assure Nigerians we will have a clear direction soon.”