Nigeria Content Online

Former Green Eagles
captain, Segun Odegbami, has dismissed the idea that the presidency of
the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been zoned to the north, as
laughable.

Odegbami said he is
still in the race for the presidency of the federations, and that he
will contest in the NFF elections – scheduled to hold on Thursday in
Abuja.

There were reports
in the media early this week that the a caucus of the NFF Congress,
which met at the weekend in Abuja had zoned the presidency to the north
effectively ending the ambition of Odegbami and former Nigeria Premier
League chairman, Oyuiki Obaseki as well as journalist, Fan Ndubuoke to
lead the federation.

“How can anyone say
the presidency of the NFF has been zoned to the north? Where did they
get that from? Is it written down anywhere in the books? Odegbami asked.

“I think the whole
thing is just a joke and I am certainly not taking it seriously. I am
still in the race and will not be distracted by such whimsical matter.
I am contesting for the presidency of the NFF because I believe that we
need to change the way the game is been administered in this country
and it will take more such silly rumours to put me off,” he said.

Horse trading

While Odegbami
continues to insist on running, his kinsman, Bukola Olopade, who is
currently the Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, has shelved his
presidential ambition. His spokesman, Hakeem Ojaleye said the decision
was taken in the ‘overall interest of Nigerian football’.

According to
sources in the NFF, Olopade stepped down because he was promised the
position of Secretary General should any of the northern candidates win
the presidency.

Ojaleye said this is far from the truth.

“He has not struck
any deal with anybody. He is still young and can still lead Nigerian
football in future. Any talk of a deal is totally false,” he said.

FIFA watching

The election, which
takes place tomorrow, is still generating controversy with some people
calling for to be postponement until after elections are held into the
state football association, a move the present NFF leadership headed by
Aminu Maigari has continued to resist.

World football governing body, FIFA in response to a mail on Tuesday said it was monitoring the situation.

“One of FIFA’s duties is to ensure the independence of the Member
Associations from external interference and to ensure that the football
family in each country can have the best possible conditions to develop
the game. That is the reason why we directly monitor the situation in
each FIFA member association that they comply with their statutes. As
such FIFA will also be present as an observer on Thursday when the
election in Nigeria will take place to monitor the process and to
verify that it is conducted in accordance with the NFF statutes,” said
Pekka Odriozola, its acting head of media.