Former Nigeria international, Benedict Akwuegbu, has exclusively told Completesports.com about his intention to vie for the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, President position in the forthcoming general elections of the nation’s football ruling body.
The 47-year-old who is capped 30 times with eight (8) goals told Completesports.com Monday night from his base in the United Kingdom that he possesses the vital credentials a top quality that the NFF boss should possess in order to develop the game.
Akwuegbu disclosed that his policy will center around winning the FIFA World Cup, assuring that he won’t hesitate to resign if he fails on his World Cup winning project.
Driving home his shrewd optimism for success, Akwuegbu declared that he won’t collect salary while in office as NFF President.
“Experience-wise, yes, I have it. Don’t forget that I’ve worked as Heartland FC Assistant General Manager [2012-2013],” starts the onetime bully forward nicknamed Austrian Bomber.
“I stepped down from that role when things were no longer going the real professional way they should.
“Equally of note is the fact that I was once the Manager of FC Gratkorn Austria [2015-2016 – a second division league club].
“After that, I was appointed Technical Director of Mighty Jets of Jos.
“So, in terms of experience, I believe I have it which will help me to open a new positive chapter in Nigerian football”.
Winner of Austrian Cup with Grazer AK in 2000 and 2002 and AFCON silver medalist in 2000, Akwuegbu also won the Austrian Bundesliga League title in 2003/2004 season.
Currently, Akwuegbu is a Mental Health undergraduate of Anglia Ruskin University, ARU, London.
“Aside playing the game at the top level – because playing in the World Cup is the utmost career height of every player – I have to equip myself academically for the coming years,” explains the former Mbaise United FC proprietor.
“When I was playing, I knew that one day, it might get to a point where one would have to think of life after football as a player.
“In that case, I decided to upgrade my academic status which I believe, will come handy if I’m entrusted with the leadership of the NFF”.
Elections into the leadership and Executive Board of the NFF is billed to hold in September when the tenure of the current board led by Amaju Melvin Pinnick is expected to run out.
“If I become NFF President, I must make sure that Nigeria did not only qualify for the World Cup but also win it,” Akwuegbu said of his major objectives if he emerges as Amaju Pinnick successor
“Yes, Nigeria can win the World Cup and I will resign if we fail.
“We will do everything, including appointment of coaches purely on merit.
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“As NFF President, I will not collect any salary.”
Akwuegbu had an illustrious playing career which spanned through the domestic scene to Austria, France, China, Belgium and later England.
After calling time on his playing career, he has ventured into management, coaching and business as well his current push into academics.
Part of his business concerns, is the newly completed Big Ben Hotel in Abuja [inset in the photo above].
“Hopefully, we’ll open the hotel next month [June]”, Akwuegbu disclosed.
Completesports.com checks reveal that aside the Big Ben Hotel in Abuja, Akwuegbu also has hostel project in Jos and an Apartment in Austria.
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COMMENTS
This is a welcome development and it appears he means well but the key question is what are his plans for the federation. Also, please forget that talk of resigning if he doesn’t win the world cup. Once he gets there now, he will be singing a different tune. Let us know how he intends to raise the standard of Nigerian football.
Even our football administration is corruptly politicized as much as real governmental politics, intertwined with destructive government interference and massive corruption. There are also powerful football cabals that won’t let him win…. Everything in Nigeria is at a point of decay. I can’t Imagine how a known bribe taker is being saddled with coaching a national team after being caught. Someone should petition FIFA and have this man banned for life and how is his crime different from Siasia whose case is very bizarre while this Salisu was caught on camera.
I forgot he served his “punishment”
Great news, if true! These are the kinds of people needed to cleanse the stink off The NFF. For so long , it has been run by a bunch of incompetent, greedy and corrupt individuals. I would also like to use this platform to implore Mr. Michael Emenalo to seriously consider running for the position. We need people like him who are imbued with common sense, wisdom and great work-ethic. Nigeria is a mess today because it is being ruled by the wrong people.
Is this the same Benedict Akwuegbu from Mbaise who kept writing that he regrets not playing for Austria? We do not want anybody as NFF president who has no passion and love for Nigeria.