FIFA Council member, Pinnick, commiserates with Morocco over earthquake

Residents take shelter ouside at a square following an earthquake in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. Nearly 300 people were killed after a powerful earthquake rattled Morocco on September 8 night, according to a preliminary government count, with Marrakesh residents reporting “unbearable” screams followed the 6.8-magnitude quake. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP)

Nigeria’s FIFA Council Member and Member of the Executive Committee of Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has commiserated with the Government and people of Morocco over last weekend’s earthquake carnage that has claimed the lives of over three thousand people.

“I am inconsolably saddened by the earthquake that has wiped out whole families and wreaked so much havoc among a good people. It has been heart-breaking watching the images from Morocco and one is simply lost for words to appropriately describe the feeling at seeing pictures and videos.

Amaju Pinnick

“Morocco has continued to play a huge role in the development of African football, reaching out to many nations with cooperation agreements and hosting matches of many, many countries who do not have approved match venues in their countries over the past few years.

“We all still have good memories of the great honour that the Morocco senior men football team brought to the entire continent by reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year, and we remain enamoured by the country’s keen desire to host CAF’s major tournaments.

“My heart goes out to His Highness, King Mohammed V, my good friend Fouzi Lekjaa, the President of Royal Morocco Football Federation and all those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.

“We love the dead but God Almighty loves them more. My consolation is that the whole world stood up to help. Nations and institutions have joined the rescue efforts and this shows the love that Morocco enjoys globally. I pray that God will rest the soul of the departed in peace and also grant those left behind to mourn the dead, the fortitude to bear the loss.”