FORMER Super Eagles captain Chief Segun Odegbami's chances of becoming the next Fifa president have received a big boost after outgoing embattled incumbent Sepp Blatter declared that he would support an African successor.
Current Fifa president Sepp Blatter, stepped down in June amid allegations of corruption within the federation and a congress to elect a new head will take place in Zurich, Switzerland on February 26, 2016. As the race to succeed him picks up, several of the candidates are facing probes over corruption scandals, which have boosted the candidacy of outsiders like Chief Odegbami.
Already, Mr Blatter has been suspended while his tenure is being investigated and so too has one of the front runners, current Uefa president Michel Platini of France. Mr Platini's suspension has led to several European nations who were backing him to suspend their support pending the conclusion of investigations.
Chief Odegbami and former Abia State governor Orji Kalu have announced their candidacy for the Fifa presidency but as regulations only allow a football association to field one candidate, a run-off between them is likely. Giving his popularity as a former Super Eagles skipper and Nigeria's second highest goalscorer, Chief Odegbami is the favourite to be anointed as the Nigerian Football Federation's candidate.
Speaking on a local Swiss radio station over the weekend, Mt Blatter said Africa had contributed so much to the development of football that it would not be out of place if the continent produces the next Fifa president. He also urged Fifa to stick to the timetable for the elections, affirming that this would ensure the credibility of the process.
Mr Blatter said: “Africa can produce the next Fifa president, why not? Nigeria is an interesting football country which has participated in all Fifa competitions, winning the U-17 World Cup four times and doing well at the big stage.
“Other continents should support Nigeria because of her pedigree. The world should give Nigeria a chance because she can bring a lot of positive developments to world football."
Chief Odegbami added: "I shall be in the UK after submitting my documents in Zurich on October 26. It is after that that the actual campaign strategy shall start to be implemented but for now I am concentrating on meeting all the eligibility requirements."
Africa's body the Confederation of African Football, is expected to meet in Cairo next week to consider the candidacies of Chief Kalu and Chief Odegbami. With the popular view in Fifa circles that past executive committee members should be barred from becoming the next president, both candidates fancy their chances.
Comments
Post a Comment