Former Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu has decried the crisis in Nigerian football, blaming greed for the “shameful” development.
The Nigerian football has been plagued by crisis since the Super Eagles’ round of 16 exit at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The problems began on August 26 when Aminu Maigari was arrested and Chris Giwa controversially elected to succeed him as NFF President by a group reportedly backed by the ministry of sports. But FIFA rejected the election and threatened to suspend Nigeria from international football unless Giwa relinquished control of the NFF on September 1 – and Maigari reinstated.
The threat of suspension was lifted after Maigari and his board members were allowed to continue.
Maigari was also handed a mandate to plan for an election, which was held in Warri on September 30, with Amaju Pinnick emerging as the new NFF boss. However, Giwa rejected the election and went to court.
The decision angered FIFA, who threatened to ban Nigeria if the crisis was not resolved on Friday. However, the crisis was resolved after President Goodluck Jonathan interved.
And Chukwu, who lamented the perennial crisis in Nigerian football, called for a permanent solution to the problem.
The Nigeria ’80 Africa Cup of Nations winner urged those involved in the crisis to help develop the game.
The former Kenya coach said, “I don’t know why they are fighting over who becomes the NFF President or who is a board member.
“If they truly have the game’s best interest at heart, they shouldn’t fight to be in the NFF. You don’t have to be in the NFF to contribute to the developmement of the game.
“Everybody wants to be in the NFF because of the money government releases for the development of the game in the country. It’s a lucrative office and people make a lot of money from the place.
“Greed is behind the crisis in our football. Those fighting to be there have no plans for developmental programmes but rather out to make money for themselves.”
The ex-Super Eagles captain added, “During my during my playing days with the national team, only men who spent their money to develop the game were in the NFF.
“The likes of (former NFA Chairman) Sunny Dankaro and (Sylvanus) Akinwunmi spent their money. They bought their flight tickets and paid their hotel bills to watch us play outside the country.
“Dankaro and other NFA board members paid (former Nigeria coach) Otto Gloria with their personal funds.
“It’s a shame the situation has changed. All manner of people now fight to be in the NFF. Their goal is to make money and not for the development of the game. It’s shameful.”
The former Enugu Rangers defender, who guided the Eagles a third-place finish at the Tunisia 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, said only persons with passion for football and those ready to spend their money towards the development of the game should be allowed be in the NFF. Punch
