Pinnick, Dikko’s presence delights NPFL All Stars

A surprise visit the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick and League Management Company (LMC) Chairman, Shehu Dikko to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) All Stars training ground yesterday left the players in high spirits, as they cheered the two officials during a brief pep talk.

Pinnick, who spoke to the 28 of the 37 invited stars, harped on the need for the players to see their call to national service as a privilege they must reciprocate with a good outing during the international friendly tour of Spain.

He charged the NPFL All Stars team to be good ambassadors of the League and the country when they participate in the friendly match against Valencia CF and in the prestigious Carranza LaLiga World Club Tournament in Spain from August 10 to 13.

“We are very happy about this tour, and we hope more of this sort of arrangement will be available in the near future, and even bigger than this,” remarked the NFF President.

“This should not be seen as an avenue for you to display only your individual skills and play to the gallery, the main objective for you is to see yourselves as a team and collectively play to achieve your set goal.

“In whatever you do, always put the country, Nigeria, first. You must also ensure you give a good account of yourselves during the tour.”

Meanwhile, the number of players in camp has risen to 28. Some of those who joined yesterday morning’s training session include Chima Akas, Theophilus Afelokhai, Ezekiel Bassey, Chinedu Udoji, Dare Ojo and Joseph Osadiaye, all from  Enyimba.

Others are Etim Matthew, Obinna Nwobodo and Chisom Egbuchulam from Enugu Rangers, Dayo Ojo of Sunshine Stars, Emmanuel Ariwa of Akwa United and Hussaini Bata of El kanemi Warriors.

The team will train again today before all the players will be released to their clubs for league matches. They are to resume on Monday evening