FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described Nigeria as a
country with unquantifiable passion and love for football, and where football
is more than a religion.
“I was told that in Nigeria football is passion, but
it is a lie because it is more than that. In Nigeria I was told that football
is love, but it is a lie it is more than that. Fifa President, Gianni Infantino
“In Nigeria, I was told that football is a religion, but it is a lie. It is
more than that. In Nigeria, football is life,” he said in Lagos on Monday.
Infantino spoke at the maiden edition of the AITEO-NFF Awards, which was
organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and bankrolled by oil giants
AITEO Group. The event held at the Eko Hotels and Suites saw Chelsea FC winger
Victor Moses winning the “Player of the Year” award. Speaking also at the
event, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, pledged his administration’s
continued support to football and sports in general. “We will continue to give
our unrelenting support to football and sports in general, I want to assure the
President of FIFA that whenever he is coming back, Lagos will be considered to
host a FIFA tournament,’’ he said. In his address, the Deputy Managing Director
of AITEO Group, Francis Peters, said the oil conglomerate was happy to be part
of football history in Nigeria in good times. NFF president Amaju Pinnick, on
his part, said the awards night was to celebrate Nigerian legends for their
contributions to the development of football in the country. He also said
football administration was a journey and not a destination, adding “therefore,
there must be a conscious effort to minimise errors for fear of losing the
opportunity. “In Nigeria, football is a way of life and everybody is a coach.
So, we need to be very careful. Football teaches us ethics and how to live a
normal life,” Pinnick said. NAN reports that Moses got the award and
recognition for his stellar performances for the national team, the Super
Eagles, en route their qualification for Russia 2018. He was an integral part
of the side during the historic qualification matches where he played in four
of the six matches scoring three goals in the process. Moses also helped his Chelsea
side reclaim the English Premier League title in the 2016/2017 season where he
featured in 40 games. The 27-year old also got CAF’s recognition by being among
the nominees for CAF’s Player of the Year award eventually won by Egypt’s
Mohamed Salah. To win the AITEO-NFF award, he beat competition from Leicester
City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Lobi Stars’ Anthony Okpotu. NAN reports that other
winners at the awards include Rasheedat Ajibade who claimed the “Player of the
Year (Women)’’ award and Ikouwon Udoh who emerged “Young Player of the Year
(Women)’’. Ann Chiejine won the “Coach of the Year (Women)’’ award, while MFM
FC’s midfielder Sikiru Olatunbosun took the “Goal of the Year’’ award. Remo
Stars FC won the Fair Play award, while the “Coach of the Year (Men)’’ award
went to Kennedy Boboye, coach of 2017/2018 NPFL champions Plateau United FC of
Jos. Channels Television won the “Developmental Award”. The “All-Time Legendary
Awards” went to Chiejine, Christian Chukwu, Uche Okechukwu, Austin Eguavoen,
Felix Owolabi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Segun Odegbami, Adokie Amaesimaka,
Mercy Udoh and Thompson Usiyen. The Platinum Award went to Infantino.
FIFA President - Football Is Life In Nigeria
Reviewed by FOW 24 News
on
February 20, 2018
Rating: 5
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described Nigeria as a country with unquantifiable passion and love for football, and where footb...
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