Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has charged players and officials of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia not to be contended with qualifying for the CAF Confederations Cup but go ahead and make an unforgettable impact in the competition even as debutants.
Abia Warriors booked the continental ticket for the first time in the club’s history, after placing third in the just concluded Nigeria Premier Football League .
Addressing the players and officials at a chance meeting during a dinner organized for them by their sponsors, EUNISELL at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Pinnick said their achievement has dumb founded many of their critics who never believed in them and insisted they can go a little bit further by fighting for the league diadem and capturing the coveted continental trophy at stake next season.
“Don’t limit yourself and say, it’s enough, we have qualified (for the continental). Go there and show a prominent presence (in the competition), and make Governor Alex Otti, Abia State and the nation proud”, he said.
The Delta State born football supremo urged the team to emulate him, who, he revealed, defied people’s opinion of him to contest and become the NFF President adding that they should adopt the mantra, “it is possible” in their pursuit of local and Continental glory.
He described the Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club, Coach John Obuh as a goal getter and a strategist who has made his mark as a player, coach and now an administrator, adding that with a crack team the Chairman has assembled, he was not surprised at the feats the former national U-17 and U-20 coach has recorded within a short period he has held sway as Abia Warriors helmsman and urged him not to relent.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Abia Warriors captain, Augustine Njoku noted that God’s Hands have been on the team and while thanking the former NFF boss for his encouraging words, assured him that the team will not disappoint the state and Nigeria in local and Continental competitions next season.
The Skipper, who also eulogized Abia State Government under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, the management of Abia Warriors as well as the sponsors of the team, EUNISELL for their support to the team, assured them that they will not rest on their oars untill they reach the promised land.