The Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria [APFON] have called on businessman Orji Uzor Kalu to step aside in his bid to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA President and put his support behind Nigeria’s other candidate, former player Segun Odegbami.
The body, which represents active and retired Nigerian players, argues that Odegbami is better qualified to contest the soon-to-become vacant post, suggesting that all well-meaning Nigerian and Africans as a whole should get behind the former Green Eagles winger.
Kalu, 55, is an entrepreneur and businessman who has served as governor of Abia state between 1999 and 2007. He is currently chairman of SLOK Holding, a consortium involved in multiple sectors with a focus on oil and gas. He is also chairman of the Daily Sun and New Telegraph newspapers and chairs Gambia’s First International Bank.
APFON Secretary, Austin Popo, told reporters in Lagos that in terms of successes in business and politics, Kalu stands over and above Odegbami but when it comes to football, the former Abia governor is miles behind the ex-Green Eagles skipper.
He said: “APFON [would] like to acknowledge Orji Uzor Kalu for his contribution to governance in Abia State, his successes in business and his role with Enyimba when he was governor.
“However, this is [a] football matter that requires a person vast (sic) in the game and its affairs. This time it is not about money.”
Mr. Popo, while admitting that Kalu also has the right to contest for the FIFA top seat, pointed out that Odegbami would not compete for a business or politics-related position with the ex-governor, hence he should “do what is right”.
“Kalu should give way please for the sake of Nigeria, the generations of football players that have served and [are] serving the country and the entire youths (sic) of the country. We appeal to him to give up his ambition and support the man who embodies football through and through,” Popo submitted.
Odegbami, 63, is a former right winger, who rose to fame with Shooting Stars of Ibadan – winning league titles and Nigeria’s first continental club crown. He scored two goals in the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations final when Nigeria won the tournament for first time.
Nicknamed ‘Mathematical 7’ for his precision passing and his shirt number, Odegbami finished second in 1980 African Footballer of the Year poll and skippered his national team at the 1980 Olympic Games. It would be at least another decade before the Green Eagles, named for the national coat of arms, would be re-named Super Eagles.
After calling time on a successful playing career with his 1980 Nations Cup final brace, Odegbami became an author, journalist and football commentator.
Of his bid, he says it is high time that FIFA was led by an African.
“The choice of an African, specifically a Nigerian, may look far-fetched in this pursuit, noting the international coverage of FIFA and the historical trend in its leadership reputation,” Odegbami said.
“However, a closer scrutiny of the international football environment reveals the real possibility of such change.”
Former Nigerian players Ganiyu Ajide and Tajudeen Disu appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation to give Odegbami the necessary backing to support his ambition, suggesting his appointment would benefit the country in return.
APFON revealed that they already have Trade Union Congress support and would be writing to relevant government bodies including the Senate, House of Representatives and Presidency in the coming days to further drum up support for their preferred candidate.
FIFA is expected to conduct fresh polls in March 2016 to elect a new president to replace Blatter, who is clinging on grimly to his role in the face of claims investigations into his dealings have made his position untenable.
Elections will be held on 26 February 2016, with UEFA chief Michel Platini and South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon among those to have already announced their bids.
Brazil great Zico and former Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid have also declared their intentions as has Liberia FA president Musa Bility; with a fourth African – South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale – also considering a bid.
