‘Osimhen would have been like Maradona in 86 World Cup’ – Pinnick

Former Nigeria Football Federation boss Melvin Amaju Pinnick has said Victor Osimhen would have shone like Diego Armando Maradona did in the 1986 World Cup had Nigeria made it to the 2022 World Cup.

Pinnick In a chat with Arise TV on Thursday made the assertion that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would have been Nigeria’s.

The former Delta State FA Chairman was the one in charge of Nigeria Football when the unthinkable happened as the Super Eagles failed to beat one of Ghana’s worst evert assembled Black Stars.

But despite failing to beat one of Ghana’s weakest squads ever, Pinnick said the Super Eagles with Victor Osimhen leading would have taken the competition by storm.

“This [Qatar 2022] could have been Nigeria’s World Cup,” Pinnick said.

“Osimhen would have been like Maradona in 1986 in that World Cup.

“Like I told the African teams [like Senegal and Morocco], we want an African team to win it [ the World Cup], but if you people don’t, Nigeria will be the first to win it, maybe in the next World Cup.

“When they are playing on the field, I take them as Nigerian.”

Pinnick who was the subject of conversation across social media during the week after a picture of him amongst some of football best ever players surface, also apologized for his role in Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

“And again, I will apologize to Nigerians, and I take responsibility as the then President of the Federation, but I believe we have gone beyond that now.”

“Let us enjoy the World Cup. Qatar has given us a wonderful spectacle to behold, and I believe we should enjoy it. I am a proud Nigerian and am happy to be here to represent the country with dignity at any time.”