As pressure continues mounting on the present leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to throw in the towel after failing to qualify the Super Eagles for next year’s FIFA World Cup, an ex-player has alleged that the soccer governing body lacks financial accountability.
Sports247 reports that this verdict came from a former national team winger, Jide Oguntuase, who holds a strong view that ex-internationals must quickly take over the running of Nigeria’s football for it to get better.
Read Also: Super Eagles’ Players Need Regular Checks, Motivation Before Entering National Camp – Dombraye | Sports247 Nigeria
Oguntuase opined as much while speaking during ‘Hot Seat’ segment of Inside Naija Sports, a live streaming programme that runs from 2:15pm every Friday on YouTube, from the studio of Sports247 Naija TV.
He further pointed out that NFF top shots are always comfortable relying on funding that they receive from the federal government, hence their inability to source for corporate sponsors that would properly promote the game.
The Scotland ’89 FIFA U17 World Cup revelation added, “The major problem we have in the NFF for now is that they are not sourcing for funds. They rely on the money they collect from government and then milk it.
“They do not even account for what they spend. They should come out and tell us how they spend the money they get from the federal government and how much it is.”
He further pointed out that NFF top shots should not be heard complaining about lack of money or inability to pay salaries of coaches in the national teams, considering the regular grants they receive from the federal government.
Oguntuase, who was also in Nigeria’s bronze winning under-23 squad at the 1991 Africa Games in Egypt, noted: “Inspite of all the money they always get from government, there are a lot of debts in the NFF and they are owing many of their coaches.
“All of this is not good for Nigerian football. This has somehow led to interference by Nigerian government officials because they believe the NFF cannot survive without them.
“So, once there’s screening for any of the age-grade national teams, or even clubs in the league, you will start seeing letters coming from everywhere … senator will send, DG will send, commissioner will send, minister will send.”
He concluded by stressing the need for ex-players to unite and stand as one in order to take over leadership of the NFF, and he declared: “We must take over at the next election.
“While all of them were enjoying the comfort of their homes and going to school to learn, we were the ones suffering on the field in order to play well.
“How can they now say they know football better than us? That’s why we, the ex-players, must come together and speak with one voice.”
Oguntuase also disclosed that he is personally spearheading the effort of trying to unite Nigeria’s footballers’ factions that are led by Tijjani Babangida and Abdul Sule, respectively.
 to throw in the towel after failing to qualify the Super Eagles for next year's FIFA World Cup, an ex-player has alleged that the soccer governing body lacks financial accountability.){kind=link}