NFF elections: Ex-Senator charges Okocha, Kanu to emulate Drogba, Eto’o

Several Nigerians have shown interest in taking over from the incumbent, but the notable northern politician has urged the country’s football greats to be involved

Senator Shehu Sani has encouraged Super Eagles legends to vie for administrative positions in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the country’s number one football body.

Election into the various offices in the NFF is reportedly slated for September, with the office of the NFF president expected to be one of the most keenly contested.

Incumbent NFF boss Amaju Pinnick has been in that saddle since 2014 and was reelected in 2018 to become the first Nigerian to hold the position for two terms.

Pinnick is constitutionally permitted to aim for a third term, but the Delta state-born administrator has vowed to bow out when his second term expires on 20 September 2022.

Several individuals have expressed interest in gunning for the NFF presidency, including CAF’s Head of Safety and Security department, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, and former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peterside Idah.

Idah, according to reports, enjoys the support of many ex-internationals, including former Arsenal man Nwankwo Kanu.

But politician and Human Rights Activist Shehu Sani has charged Kanu and his mates to seek to occupy all the positions in the NFF.

Senator Sani wants the football legends to follow the footsteps of former Barcelona striker and present President of the Cameroon FA Samuel Eto’o.

The Kaduna-based author also holds Didier Drogba as a role model for Kanu and co, even if the former Chelsea striker failed in his bid to take over Ivorian football earlier this year.

Writing on Twitter, Sen. Sani said, “The NFF election is here again. Ex-Nigerian Super Eagles should step forward and take the mantle of football administration.

“Emulate Samuel Eto & Drogba; Where is Okocha, Nwankwo, Amokachi, Odegbami, and Babangida?”

Former PSG and Bolton Wanderers hero Austin Okocha was previously the Chair of the Delta State Football Association.

The former magical playmaker, however, spends more of his time in public as a football pundit and African sports broadcaster.