FIFA Presidency: Pinnick Drops Bombshell, Reveals What Odegbami, Kalu Should Do

Amaju Pinnick, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, has reacted to the reports making round that former Eagles star Segun Odegbami and ex-governor of Abia state Orji Uzor Kalu, have their eyes glued to the FIFA presidency.

Speaking in a live programme on Channels Tv, Pinnick advised both aspirants to seek extensive consultation in their quest to head to football governing body.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick

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He said: “It is a very sensitive development that is bigger than me and I had to set up a committee to discuss about it.

“But looking further, Orji Uzor Kalu name will be in the country’s record because of his feat in Nigeria football. He made sure Enyimba won the Champions League back-to-back. Segun Odegbami on his part has been very consistent. He played the game and started playing the game at age 5. He’s passionate about the game and you can also liking him to Platini. But it goes beyond that.

“If you can recall, in the last four years we have two prominent Nigerians gun for international position but failed. Someone like Aminu Maigari, who is like the most successful federation president, ran to become a member of the CAF executive but lost to Benin Republic’s Moucharafou Anjorin. While Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima lost out in his bid to get elected into the all-powerful FIFA Executive Committee.

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“So we don’t want that attitude of Nigerians being seen as too desperate as people may say, ‘Dey don come again’. That’s why there must be extensive consultation.

“Sincerely, I’ll be excited if either Orji Uzor Kalu or Segun Odegbami becomes FIFA president but there has to be consultation. It’s not just about coming out to say you want to run, there are basic rules to follow.

“We need to first play the politics of having more members in FIFA and CAF committees. There must be extensive consultation and politicking before taking it a step higher.”

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Pinnick also revealed that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be playing high profile friendly matches with Cameroon and Congo next month in Belgium.

“I can confirm that we will play against Congo on October 8 in Antwerp and against Cameroon on October 11 in Brussels.”

Meanwhile, the NFF has laid down the rules for any Nigerian who intends to become the next president of FIFA.

Odegbami and Orji Kalu’s ambitions have been ridiculed by three Nigerians working with FIFA and CAF; Chief Amanze Uchegbulam, Paul Bassey and Sani Toro calling on the two candidiates to “stop embarrassing Nigeria’’ as they chase the FIFA presidency.

Switzerland’s Sepp Blatter, 79, has been in charge of FIFA since 1998. He is however stepping down as a result of a corruption crisis at world football’s governing body.

Candidates have until October 26 to be nominated.

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