By Albert Akota
Embattle President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick flew into Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea yesterday as the African football fraternity got into the mood for the 30th Africa Cup of Nations kicking off on Saturday.
The NFF supremo will commission two matches in the group phase at the championship with opportunities for more in the knock –out rounds.
However, the Confederation of African Football has once more rued the absence of 2013 champions Nigeria, who failed to reach the finals after finishing behind South Africa and Congo in Group A of the qualifying campaign.
Before jetting out of the country, Pinnick transmitted a letter to Members of the NFF Executive Committee notifying them that the 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi will act in his stead.
“I will be away to the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea from 16th January – 9th February, 2015 on the invitation of CAF and in official capacity.
“The First Vice President, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi should thus oversee the workings of the Office of the President for the period I will be away. All official correspondence should be channeled to him.”
Host Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Burkina Faso and Gabon will contest in Group A of the three –week, 16 nation finals, with Zambia, DR Congo, Tunisia, Cape Verde battling it out in Group B.
Group C has Ghana, Senegal, Algeria and South Africa while Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali and Cameroon contend in Group D.
The finals, scheduled for 17th January – 8th February, will be played across four cities: Malabo, Ebebiyin, Mongomo and Bata.
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