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Tag: Odegbami

  • FIFA PRESIDENCY: “NFF didn’t sabotage Odegbami”

    FIFA PRESIDENCY: “NFF didn’t sabotage Odegbami”

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has absolved any Nigerian of the blame of working against the nomination of former Green Eagles Captain Segun Odegbami for the position of FIFA Presidency, instead the Federation has blamed the former international of starting the process very late.

    According to the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, the Federation did everything  possible to ensure that the aspirations of the former international scaled through, but the processes started very late.

    “Segun Odegbami told us that all he needs is the endorsement of the federation that he would get the other five endorsements from other African countries. It was only few days to the closing of nominations that we got to know that he did not get the endorsements before then.

    “I took the form to Cairo and was going from table to table to get it endorsed, but most of the countries were giving excuses that they have committed themselves to other candidates. If he had started early enough, we would have gotten the endorsement before the closing date. We learn daily, and would get it right next time,” he said.

    Speaking in the same vein, the former Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, Christopher Green also absolved the NFF of any wrong doing, saying that Odegbami did not start his process early enough “Don’t blame the federation because first and foremost we did not put our house together in the sense that we had two candidates vying for the same position. But in other climes no country presented two candidates, only one. I do realise that it was three to four days to the closure of the nomination that Segun Odegbami was given the endorsement by the federation.

    Realistically speaking, unless he did his home-work before the endorsement, there is no way he can shuttle five countries in Africa to get the endorsement within four days “Whatever happened to his candidacy I don’t know. I don’t know whether the NFF submitted his form.

    “But I really doubt  if he complied with all the conditions set out by FIFA. And that is why the NFF brought out her  own conditions and when you meet up, the federation will take up the rest.

    One of the conditions is that you must be popular in the game as an administrator. But if you are not, the federation will find it difficult to market.

    “It is the responsibility of the NFF to forward the nomination form to FIFA but it is not the responsibility of NFF to get the required endorsement for the candidate. It depends when he gets the endorsement from other Africa countries to forward to the federation to submit.

    “It is not the NFF that is contesting the election, it is an individual thing. When Sepp Blatter contested it was not Swiss but Blatter.

    On why the Federation did not call the two aspirants to harmonise things, the NFF Executive Committee member said: “The truth of the matter is that they made things difficult for the NFF. This is the first time we have two candidates contesting for position in CAF, FIFA, WAFU. Usually it is the NFF that brings out a candidate to contest because they are the managers of the game in the country.

    “When Amos Adamu was   there it was  only him that the federation endorsed, the same with  Galadima and Aminu Maigari. But a situation where you have two candidates going for the same position, it becomes difficult. The way forward is for us to put our house and ourselves together for future elections with a plan to get one candidate nominated, have the candidate fulfill all the conditions as so specified in the FIFA electoral guidelines and help the candidate get endorsement for other countries. It is a project that you need a minimum of four  years to prepare.

    “You can’t wake up in three months and say you want to meet another country for endorsement with the federation and you know that a country can only endorse one candidate,” he said.

  • Players Union hails NFF on Odegbami

    Players Union hails NFF on Odegbami

    The Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria APFON, has applauded the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for nominating Chief Segun Odegbami as Nigeria nominee for FIFA presidency.

    The players Union said it receives with great delight the decision by the NFF to pick Odegbami as Nigeria nominee for the FIFA president election.

    According to the Union scribe, Austin Popo, “The Union never expected anything less or doubted the ability of the present leadership of the NFF to take the right decision, given the visionary leadership qualities of the NFF Board members. To us as Players the NFF has again scored a major feat in its untiring quest to reposition Nigeria Football by affirming the position of the Players Union”

    “Now is the time for Nigerians to rally round our nominee, Segun Odegbami and mobilise support for the big stage.”

  • FIFA TOP JOB: Odegbami gets ex-teammates backing

    FIFA TOP JOB: Odegbami gets ex-teammates backing

    The FIFA Presidency dream of Chief Segun Odegbami got a boost as his colleague and play mates at Green Eagles between 1976 and 1981 has pledged their support for his candidature.

    Former Green Eagles and Shooting Stars goalkeeper, Zion Ogunfeyinmi who addressed newsmen in Ibadan on behalf of the group urged Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to give a level playing ground to candidates that signified interest from Nigeria to vie for the football top seat.

    The Ilaje Prince opined that the group of ex-international that played along side with Odegbami both at IICC and Green Eagles were proud to identify with his candidature for the coveted position and are sure of the right winger is capable of doing when it comes to football administration.

    “What we want is for NFF to be fair by giving Odegbami who had demonstrated his acumen in soccer administration for many years since his retirement from active football a level play ground and not exhibit undue favoritism”, Zion Ogufeyinmi told the sporting press at Lekan Salami Sports Complex Ibadan.

    Odegbami, like other aspirants, is professing the need for change in the world body even as he expressed optimism that he would get the necessary backing to take a shot at football’s most coveted administrative position.

  • Odegbami eyes FIFA presidency

    Odegbami eyes FIFA presidency

    Former Nigeria skipper Segun ‘Mathematical’ Odegbami has said he will run for the FIFA presidency, declaring the world football governing body needs a new era of leadership to restore dignity to the sport after recent scandals.

    The FIFA poll to replace Sepp Blatter, who quit in June, takes place on February 26, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland.

    “The current scandal at FIFA is the organisation’s worst crisis in its 111 years of existence. Moving forward, FIFA thus require a new era of leadership that can restore the dignity of the noble sport and that of this esteemed international institution with global followership,” said the 63-year-old Odegbami, who describes himself as an “African candidate”.

    “Times like this call for all concerned members of the global football family to contribute to the actualization of renewed objectives for FIFA by electing a deserving and qualified person, with the right character that can achieve the desired goals and restore confidence and integrity to the organisation and its activities.

    “The world is very interested in who becomes the next President of FIFA, considering the present image and state of this institution and I see myself fitting into this role.”

    Odegbami won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for Nigeria. He has bagged a national honour from his country and has worked with both clubs and the country’s team.

    He has severally contested for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The deadline for candidates to formally present their nominations through their home football federations, with other supporting documents, is October 26, 2015.

    He has already conveyed his intention to the Nigeria Football Federation, as required by the electoral guidelines and FIFA Statutes, as well as to the federal government seeking their support.

    Candidates will also undergo an integrity test, through FIFA’s ad-hoc election committee.

  • Don, Odegbami, others for conference

    The Dean, Faculty of Food Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof Lateef Sanni; Chairman, International Sports Academy Abeokuta, Segun Odegbami and other erudite scholars will speak at the first annual O’odua Youth Conference (OYC).

    The conference, organised by OYC, a registered apex Yoruba youth organisation, will hold on July 30 at the Western Hall, Secretariat Complex, Ibadan, with the theme: “Repositioning Yoruba Youth for Greater Prosperity: A new Agenda”.

    OYC President Moronkeji Oladapo said Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Segun Oshinowo and Director General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission Dipo Famakinwa are also guest speakers at the conference, which will draw over 1,000 select Yoruba youths from across the Southwest.

    He said the conference would provide the youth and leaders the platform to do a more critical appraisal of the challenges facing them and proffer solutions.

    He said the conference would also serve as a launchpad for various OYC’s empowerment programmes in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, creative arts, and sports.

  • Ex LMC boss, Irabor beats Odegbami, Keshi to Excellence Award

    Pioneer Chairman of  the Board of the League Management Company (LMC), Hon. Nduka Irabor was last night honoured as the Sports Personality of the Year at the Excellence Recognition Awards organised by Global Excellence magazine, a leading entertainment and lifestyle publication.

    Irabor beat off competition from two former Super Eagles captains, Segun Odegbami and Stephen Keshi who were nominated for the awards. Keshi was the Super Eagles coach to the World Cup in Brazil 2014 and failed to qualify the country for the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

    According to the organisers in the citation read before the presentation of the award plaque, “Hon Irabor’s was the overwhelming choice of the award’s panel for his contributions to the reform of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) which has resulted to improved credibility, increased earning for clubs and acceptable results”.

    The citation also attributed the successes of the league reforms to the former LMC Chairman’s leadership style which demonstrates a relentless pursuit of excellence that sometimes may not be agreeable to some but always achieving desirable outcome. Irabor’s contributions to journalism as the pioneer editor of the Guardian Express and his performance as a spokesperson for the Federal Government were tracked in illustrating his persistent pursuit of excellence.

    In his response, Irabor who was represented on the occasion by the LMC Head of Special Projects, Harry Iwuala thanked the organisers for the recognition and attributed the success to the collective effort of the LMC Board.

    “I want to first thank the organisers for recognising that there has been reforms which has improved the league. Indeed this award is a testimony to the fact that when you perform well, Nigerians will recognise your effort.

    “We worked as a team to make the league what you have come to commend and we are conscious of the fact that it is not yet a finished product. We are proud of what we have done but it is still work in progress. We will continue to give it our best and believe that with the concerted effort of all Nigerians, we will bequeath a viable league that will provide more job opportunities and enhanced living,” he said.

    The award was presented by popular actress, Abiola Atanda also known as Madam Kofo and Barrister Tunde Braimah, a former Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos. The ceremony was held at the Balmoral Event Center.

  • Odegbami, Ogunjobi calm over NFF disqualification

    Odegbami, Ogunjobi calm over NFF disqualification

    Former Nigeria international, Segun Odegbami has spoken about his disqualification ahead of the upcoming elections into the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Odegbami was disqualified on Wednesday for failing to meet three of the pre-election requirements.

    Chairman of the NFF’s electoral committee, Amoni Biambo, said Odegbami has been stopped from contesting the polls because he did not attach a receipt to his nomination form.

    Biambo also added that no endorsement (letter) from Odegbami’s zone was attached to the nomination form which he was also accused of handing in late. Odegbami said he was surprised at the development.

    “I can tell you that these things (Biambo said) are not true. He is lying,” Odegbami told supersport.com.

    Odegbami said the situation would become clearer in the coming days.

    “So many things are happening right now and I will speak about this more comprehensively in the coming days. Just watch and see what will happen in the next few days,” he said.

    Former NFF secretary general, Taiwo Ogunjobi, was also disqualified from running for the office of president of the football federation.

    Ogunjobi says he is not losing sleep over the development. “I won’t comment on my disqualification now but anyone who thinks I am unhappy does not know me. As long as God remains in control, we should all be happy. When anyone wakes up in the morning and he can eat, talk and go about his daily activities, he should be happy. I am always a happy man,” he said.

  • Brazil 2014 fifa World Cup: Odegbami urges Keshi; Eagles need creative midfielders

    Brazil 2014 fifa World Cup: Odegbami urges Keshi; Eagles need creative midfielders

    A former Green Eagles player, Segun Odegbami, on Sunday advised Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, to ensure the team’s attacking-midfield is strengthened before the 2014 World Cup.

    Odegbami told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the team was lacking creativity in the midfield, adding that the Eagles would be strong contenders if the midfield was improved.

    “Right now, we don’t have the creative midfield to be able to hold on to the ball for us and keep control. We lose the ball too easily. And all of this is as a result of the midfield; we just don’t have that creativity in the midfield that the team requires at the moment,’’ he said.

    Odegbami noted that the search for the right creative midfielder was the responsibility of Keshi, adding that it would be wrong to start suggesting players for him.

    “Well, I am sure he knows what the problem is, it is for him to get the right players now aside the one’s that he has played. Once he can achieve that, I think the team will be a lot stronger. The team is presently strong but it could be a lot stronger with the presence of creativity,’’ Odegbami noted.

    According to him, Keshi must be careful to avoid recalling some players who have played for the Eagles in the past and have since passed their peak.

  • Odegbami: Mikel can play like Messi

    Odegbami: Mikel can play like Messi

    Former Green Eagles ace, Segun Odegbami said on Friday that he is counting on Super Eagles and Chelsea FC midfielder Mikel Obi to perform as Argentine and Barcelona FC striker Lionel Messi, when the 2013 African Cup of Nations gets underway in January.

    The former NFF Chairmanship contender explained that he had previously predicted in April that Lionel Messi will be the greatest player the world has ever witnessed and it came to pass even as he equaled and surpassed Gerd Muller’s record for the Highest number of goals scored in a year.

    Odegbami said he is now sticking out his neck for the Holland 2005 Silver ball winner to be shine like Messi at the 2013 AFCON tournament in South Africa.

    “In April I described Barcelona as the greatest team in history and Lionel Messi as the greatest player. Eight months later and at 25, with years still left in his feet and goals in his boots, Messi has already re-written football history. At the last count he has scored, arguably, more goals in one football season than anyone else in history, recalled the one time conqueror of African football.

    “Thoughts of him bring up the second thing on my mind – Afcon 2013.What has Lionel Messi got to do with Africa’s greatest football show? The answer is Mikel Obi, the Nigerian defensive midfield player making his mark quietly in the colours of Chelsea and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    “Several years ago Messi and Mikel, both 18 years old at the time, competed on the same stage for who would be the best young player in the world. That epic battle was fought at the 2005 World Youth Championship in Holland.

    “Messi and Mikel both featured at their national under-20 teams to the championship. Argentina and Nigeria met at the finals in an encounter that provided a sneak preview of the future. On the night, Argentina won with two moments of magic provided by Lionel Messi.

    “Since then both players have charted different paths, only meeting again at the 2011/2012 season in the semifinal of the European Club Championships, where Mikel and Chelsea had the upper hand over Messi and Barcelona in terms of the final result.

    “There is increasing expectation and mounting pressure by Nigerians for the Super Eagles to win Afcon 2013.

    “That’s where Mikel comes in. Nigerians are counting on him playing at his best again these days, to use his vast experience and leadership to lead Nigeria’s onslaught, Odegbami highlighted.

    “The man is getting used to winning championships. There is something about Mikel that is special and confounding.

    “He brings all of that to the Super Eagles. With his quiet mien and conservative but consistent performances, Mikel Obi could just be the joker up the sleeve with which Nigeria can win the African championship. He is on my mind,” explained Odegbami.