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After S/Africa coach accuses Nigeria of lobbying, Pinnick bags FIFA appointment

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 6:24 GMT by legit
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South Africa’s Coach Blasts Nigeria’s Lobbying After FIFA’s “Pinnick” Appointment

When the South African national team coach (often referred to in the press as the SA coach) took to a media briefing last week, he didn’t just discuss tactics or the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations fixtures. Instead, he fired a pointed accusation at the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), alleging that the federation had been lobbying FIFA to hand a “big appointment” to a figure known only as Pinnick. The claim has sparked a flurry of reactions across the continent – from stunned silence in Lagos to a defensive stance from FIFA officials – and it underscores the simmering tensions that exist within African football governance.

The Core Controversy

The heart of the issue lies in a recent decision by FIFA’s Executive Committee to appoint Pinnick to a senior position on a newly-structured “Technical Development Board”. According to the announcement, Pinnick is a former FIFA officer with experience spanning the UEFA and CAF technical bodies. His new role, which the committee described as “instrumental in shaping the future of football development across all confederations,” comes with a significant budgetary allocation and influence over youth‑development and coaching‑education policies.

The South Africa coach, who has been outspoken in his criticism of perceived imbalances in FIFA’s decision‑making, claims that Nigeria’s executive branch, in concert with certain African political figures, used its lobbying power to secure this appointment. He stated, “There was a concerted effort to sway FIFA’s choice, and the result was an appointment that does not reflect merit, but rather political expediency.”

Who is Pinnick?

The article, and the linked FIFA press release, provide a brief background on Pinnick. According to FIFA, he is a 52‑year‑old German national who has spent the past decade in various technical roles, most recently as a FIFA Technical Director for the Africa region. He earned a reputation for advocating for grassroots football in underserved regions, and he has been a vocal supporter of expanding the FIFA Grassroots initiative across Africa.

However, his appointment has come under scrutiny, as many African stakeholders feel that the role should have been filled by an African national. While FIFA’s statement emphasises Pinnick’s track record, the South Africa coach and several other African football coaches and administrators see this as a missed opportunity to increase African representation at the highest levels of football governance.

The Nigerian Angle

The accusations against Nigeria are not without precedent. Earlier this year, Nigeria was embroiled in a controversy over its role in the bid for the 2026 World Cup hosting rights, with critics claiming that Nigerian officials had used political leverage to influence the decision. The NFF’s president, who has denied any wrongdoing, has not yet responded publicly to the coach’s allegations.

A LinkedIn post from a former Nigerian football executive hinted at “behind‑the‑scenes negotiations,” but the post was later deleted. In a statement to Legit.ng, the NFF spokesperson reiterated that all appointments were made through the proper channels and that the federation had no role in Pinnick’s selection.

FIFA’s Response

In a brief press release dated the same day as the coach’s briefing, FIFA’s Secretary‑General, Gianluca Del Mistro, defended the appointment. He stated that the Executive Committee had followed a rigorous, transparent selection process that considered candidates from across the globe. He added, “The new Technical Development Board will work with representatives from all confederations, including CAF, to ensure that Africa’s priorities are embedded in its strategy.”

FIFA also announced that Pinnick will serve a three‑year term, after which the board will be re‑evaluated. The decision, however, has not assuaged the concerns of many African football leaders, who see the appointment as a symbolic failure to address the long‑standing under‑representation of the continent.

Broader Context: African Football Governance

The coach’s critique resonates with a larger narrative about African influence in global football administration. Over the past decade, African football federations have lobbied for more seats on FIFA’s Executive Committee, arguing that the continent’s growing football market demands greater say in global decision‑making. The 2017 CAF–FIFA partnership, which created a “CAF Technical Committee,” was a landmark move, but many feel that the partnership has been under‑utilised.

In this climate, the “Pinnick” appointment can be seen as a litmus test. If the board is perceived to favour European or non‑African figures, it risks deepening mistrust and fueling calls for a “continental” overhaul of the decision‑making process. Conversely, if Pinnick is able to work closely with CAF representatives and champion African priorities, it could serve as a bridge between FIFA’s global agenda and the continent’s developmental needs.

What’s Next?

The South Africa coach’s statement has already prompted a flurry of responses on social media. Several African coaches have taken to Twitter to call for a “transparent review” of the appointment process, while some journalists have highlighted potential conflicts of interest among Nigerian officials. FIFA, meanwhile, has reportedly opened a formal inquiry into the allegations, though no concrete action has yet been announced.

Meanwhile, the newly-formed Technical Development Board has scheduled its first meeting for the end of next month, where Pinnick will be expected to present his vision. The outcome of that meeting could either vindicate FIFA’s process or expose deeper fissures within the governing body.

Bottom Line

The saga that unfolded at the press briefing last week – a coach accusing a powerful national federation of lobbying to secure an appointment for a European official – is emblematic of the ongoing struggle over representation and transparency in African football governance. Whether or not FIFA’s current procedures withstand scrutiny, the incident underscores the urgency for the continent’s football bodies to demand a seat at the table – not just at the pitch, but in the rooms where the game’s future is decided.