Adepoju, Disu back Ogunjobi, Iorfa for NFF job

Former internationals Mutiu Adepoju and Tajudeen Disu have insisted that only an ex-international is good enough to be elected as President of the Nigeria Football Federation.

The NFF presidential election holds in Delta State on Tuesday with seven candidates vying for the top position. They are former Nigeria defender Taiwo Ogunjobi, former Nigeria striker Dominic Iorfa, Amanze Uchegbulam, Shehu Dikko, Abba Yola, Amaju Pinnick and Mike Umeh.

Twenty-nine candidates will battle for the remaining seven positions in the NFF poll.

In separate interviews with our correspondents Adepoju and Disu hailed ex-NFF Secretary-General Ogunjobi and Lobi Stars Chairman Iorfa for their decisions to contest the election.

“Ex internationals have been contributing to the development of the game. They have been involved in the administration of football at various levels both on and off the field,” Tunisia’ 94 Africa Cup of Nations winner Adepoju told one of our correspondents on the telephone on Monday.

“When we talk of the administration of football at the highest level, there are ex-internationals who can do it very well. Iorfa and Ogunjobi have shown that they are ready to make positive changes to football matters in Nigeria.”

Ex-Flying Eagles defender, Disu blamed ineptitude and greed for the crisis in Nigerian football, blaming politicians for the problems.

“Politicians who have no chance of occupying public offices have found their way into football matters; this is the reason our football is dying,” the former Abiola Babes player told one of our correspondents on the telephone.

“Nigerian football is best managed by ex-footballers who know where the shoe pinches and have experience in football management. Ogunjobi has been there and Iorfa is doing well at Lobi Stars.

“European football is getting better every day because ex-footballers are running the business over there. (UEFA President) Michel Platini is doing well. Kalusha Bwalya is the leader of Zambian football and he has turned things around for good.

“It is only when it comes to football that non-footballers claim to know better than former players. Why can’t they go for other sports?”