Five former Super Eagles players good enough to succeed Pinnick
Unlike their counterparts elsewhere, Nigerian footballers, especially those that have sound education or have played at the highest level are most times satisfied with playing second fiddle to neophytes in football
After being boxed into a corner, the outing president of NFF Amaju Pinnick has jettisoned his third term ambition. That Pinnick has failed as NFF president is not subject to debate but those jolting to succeed him are not better, they may even be worse than Pinnick. Here DAVID MESHIOYE looks at five former players who have what it takes to turn our football around.
Unlike their counterparts elsewhere, Nigerian footballers, especially those that have sound education or have played at the highest level are most times satisfied with playing second fiddle to neophytes in football in an industry that ought to run the show.
How does one reconcile a situation where Ahmed Yusuf Fresh is the chairman of the NFF Technical Committee and Mutiu Adepoju and Victor Ikpeba are serving under him?
And wait for it, Salisu Yusuf, a man who has lost credibility, who possesses a doubtful professional credential, is the head coach of the national football team and great Finidi George is his assistant, talk of mere men riding horses and princes holding the leash.
But elsewhere, great players in Africa and beyond take the centre stage and call the shot instead of eating crumbs. Examples include Michael Platini, Kalusha Bwalya, and most recently Samuel Eto in nearby Cameroon.
This is a wake-up call for Nigerian ex-internationals to rise to the occasion and take their rightful place in football administration rather than fight for crumbs that come in form of ambassadorial appointments and technical positions devised by NFF heads to shield them away from the ultimate prize.
Find below five former players that have what it takes to turn our football around.
- Mike Emenalo
A good candidate to succeed Pinnick given his years of experience as Chelsea's technical director.
Regarded as one of the only long-standing black technical directors in Premier League history, the former Super Eagles left-full back helped propelled Chelsea to great success during incessant turbulence – and the club won the Champions League and three Premier League titles under a trio of managers when Emenalo was at the heart of their operations between 2009 and 2017.
He has since moved to AS Monaco and the club is gradually finding its rhythm in French football once again. Emenalo has the much-needed experience and international clout to take Nigerian football to the next level if he chooses to lead NFF.
- Adokiye Amesiamaka
The barrister is known for his meticulous approach to things of life and he is a man who embraces accountability as well as transparency. His wealth of experience helped shape the face of football in Rivers State and his 20 years reign as chairman of defunct Sharks FC still speaks volumes. Adokiye was instrumental in the change of football philosophy in the state which paved way for the discovery of raw talents like Victor Ezeji and other grassroots players.
This University of Lagos Law student once condemned the country FA for fielding over-aged players which helped a great deal to curb age falsification among young footballers. He has got the image and panache to take Nigerian football to the next level. Wouldn't you commit the future of your football into such hands?
- Seyi Olofinjana
Another good candidate to turn the Nigerian football administration around given his academic background, accountability instinct, and meticulous approach to things. But NFF cabals opted to offer him lesser appointments when he should have been encouraged to take over from Pinnick.
Olofinjana, who is currently the sporting director of the Swiss club Grasshopper in Zurich had turned down the opportunity to become Super Eagles manager some time ago. He would have been an ideal choice but the system won’t permit him. And what makes anyone thinks Olofinjana is ready to leave Switzerland at the moment? He could in the future.
- Segun Odegbami
The Big Sheg seems to have the big clout both on the local and international stage as far as football administration is concerned. His biggest sin according to States FA chairmen back then was nothing else but his insistence on checkmating reckless spending by board members, and that means he could not get enough votes from delegates. He has the PR presence and knowledge to revive the marketing department of the FA if he is appointed and it is just a matter of time before Odegbami breaks that barrier created by Nigerian football cabals.
- Sunday Oliseh
Love him or loathe him, Oliseh has got the right foundation and intelligence to lead Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He cannot breathe where things are not done professionally and that explains his constant fury at Nigeria football administrators.
His success story at Fortuna Sittard laid credence to that fact while his short stay as Super Eagles gaffer was a moment to cherish by Super Eagles stars who worked and described him as a custodian of transparency, hard work, and empathy.
Just like Samuel Eto'O was cautioned by Roger Milla in the build-up to his campaign as FECAFOOT president, Oliseh would need to tame his demon by controlling his temper if he wants to be NFF president.
