PFAN not fighting Pinnick, says Tijani Babangida
The president of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Tijanni Babangida, has said his association is not at war with the president…
Former Super Eagles stars, Tijani Babangida (L) and Victor Ikpeba
The president of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Tijanni Babangida, has said his association is not at war with the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick.
The former international who spoke to Trust Sports Friday was reacting to Wednesday’s inauguration of a rival body known as All Nigeria Football Players Union (ANFPU) in Abuja.
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Although most football stakeholders believe the factional players union is to neutralise PFAN and work for the third term agenda of the NFF president, Babangida said nobody is fighting NFF so there is no cause for alarm.
“Let me make it clear that PFAN is not fighting Amaju Pinnick. I have a very cordial relationship with the NFF president, Malam Shehu Dikko and the Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.
“Some time ago, there was a problem and I immediately disbanded all committees of PFAN. In view of what is happening, I am going to call a meeting of the executive. We shall deliberate and come out with a strong statement.
“For now, I am calling for peace in Nigerian football because we have very important World Cup qualifying matches. There is no need to fight one another. We hope to settle our differences soonest,” he said.
Babangida also said he is unperturbed by the departure of some of his members who have pitched tents with the new body because they are still members of the same family.
He said it took over 25 years for the different players associations in Nigeria to agree to have a single union so he will do everything possible to ensure the body is not factionalized again.
“To my utmost surprise some of our members have gone away but I don’t think we have lost any members because we are the same. For me PFAN and the new body are just the same. We are not fighting.
“PFAN is the one recognized by FIFA and the NFF congress. So by the grace of God, we are not going to have another players’ association in Nigeria. We shall continue to exist as a united family,” he assured.