Odegbami, Okocha Not Messiah For Nigerian Football –Fans

Members of the Nigerian U-18 team that won silver medal in Africa Nation for Women Basketball Championships, at a reception in Abuja, yesterday

Ex-international, Chief Segun Odegbami and Austin Jay Jay Okocha who are in the running for the presidency of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in the federation election scheduled for 21st of this month may not be the messiah needed for Nigerian Football at the moment.

This is the view of some stakeholders who spoke to Tidesports in an interview on Monday.

Former team Manager of Sharks FC, Port Harcourt, Sonny Iseiokueima described the duo as good footballers who may not be necessarily the best options to lead NFF.

According to him

,every good player cannot make a good football manager or administrator, adding that there is nothing wrong for them to contest for the position, but in my candid opinion, Okocha is still very young to handle such managerial position.

“In my opinion, there is nothing wrong for them to via for the position. But Iam saying that Okocha cannot handle the apex position effectively because  he is still very young and there is need for him to study some certain managerial skills”, Iseiokueinma said.

Iseiokueinma who was also ex-player of Sharks FC explain that Chief Segun Odegbami might be a better candidate, if he will fulfil his promise.

James Onoja, a  sport analyst, have a contrary opinion from Iseiokueinma, he said non of the ex-international are qualified to manage football.

According to Onoja, football management is a different ball game from playing good football. I don’t think both of them have the potential to lead our football forward right now, he said.

Coach Tony Chukwu, the chief coach of Rivers State Football Association , shared the same viws with Onoja.

He explained that Odegbami has failed before in one of the national assignment given to him, saying that both of them cannot develop football following their antecedent if they politised this election, Nigeria football will still go back to zero level.

Simeon Ojoko, the team manager, Gateway International Church Football Academy, said this country need people who have managerial skill and the ability to promote grassroots sports development.

Tonye Orabere