Former Eagles star and FIFA Presidential aspirant Segun Odegbami yesterday expressed anger over Nigeria Football Federation’s inability to endorse his candidature on time in preparation for February’s polls.
The Algiers 80 highest goal scorer was unable to win the required backing of five member associations before Monday’s deadline which affected his aspiration.
“The NFF only sent their nomination letter to FIFA on Monday afternoon. What was I supposed to do with that? That was their reaction to my letter sent to them two months ago. It is preposterous,” the Daily Trust on Saturday columnist said.
Odegbami also believes that his outspoken criticism of long-standing Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou may have counted against him.
“Of course there are local politics within the Nigerian and African football system that pitches some of us against the established system. I have been one of the most virulent critics of the perpetuity of Issa Hayatou in office and I knew I was not one of his best friends,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s other candidate former Governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Kalu withdrew his candidacy before the deadline, commending football stakeholders across the world who wanted him to contest for the plum FIFA job.
Kalu, while acknowledging the support of President Muhammadu Buhari and other African Presidents for their patriotic roles noted that sports is a unifying force among Africans.