Austin Okocha: NFF needs better structure, people who can add value

A former Super Eagles’ star, Austin Okocha, has stated clearly that there must be a new structure in the Nigeria Football Federation with a new set of people who can add value to join the federation.
There have been rumours of an impending normalisation committee with the former Bolton Wanderers midfielder saying it will be difficult for people to really work if nothing is going to be done with their recommendations as it has been happening in the past.
According to Okocha, some people won’t be able to function, especially with the people in charge at the moment citing an example of himself.
Speaking on a programme played on Brila FM on Tuesday morning, Okocha said it will be unfair on him if people continue to call on him to come out.
“You’ll be unfair to people like me to say, “Oh no, I’m not interested.” But the truth is that you ask yourself: “Is it worth it to try?” He said.
“What if you don’t succeed? Because you have to do things. But it’s not just you; you need a team. Are you all on the same page? Which people are you going to work with?

“I tried it a bit. I went to Delta State. I took the chairmanship position, but when I saw what was going on, I left.
“It’s not worth it. But to be honest, people out there, they will not forgive us if we keep quiet.
“Life gets a lot easier if we’re winning. The Women’s World Cup is coming up, We’re not taking part. Nobody will remember us because Nigeria is not taking part.
“So now, we are leveraging on the things that we did in Europe with our national team, and normally it should be the other way around.
“These things can be fixed, and that’s the annoying part because it’s not rocket science. Just put the good stuff in. Get people that can add value. And I believe that we all have a role to play”.