Former Flying Eagles and Super Eagles striker Peter Ogaba hopes that the FIFA suspension handed to Nigeria will be reversed before the July 17(Thursday) deadline handed by the Federation of International Football Federation (FIFA).
Stakeholders in the country’s football are putting pressure on the wife of Victor Ramson Baribote, Ibiakpo Baribote to drop her charges against the NFF in time for the FIFA ban to be avoided and for the different national teams to participate in the tournaments they were meant to participate in.
Baribote’s wife is giving conditions for the court case at the Jos High Court to be struck out which includes:
1. That the 15 years suspension imposed on her husband, Victor Rumson Baribote be lifted with immediate effect.
2. That her husband be reinstated as Second Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation and Chairman of the NPFL.
Ogaba bared his mind to Completesportsnigeria.com
“What has happened is unfortunate. Diplomacy is the best way to go about these issues. The worst hit by a possible ban is the footballers themselves whose only source of income for themselves and their families could be football.
We know the situation of things in the country.
“If Maigari has done anything wrong, it is not bad to suspend him from the NFF office but it is the country that bears the brunt. This can be handled with maturity, I believe they can sort it out amicably before Thursday.
Nigeria have recorded some outstanding successes under the stewardship of Aminu Maigari, so we should not also forget that his administration have been good for football in the country.
“We have to amend things because a lot of countries are jealous of Nigeria. I was playing for the Super Eagles in the 90’s when (late) Gen Sani Abacha stopped us from defending the African Cup of Nations title in 1996. It was very painful and heart-breaking.
“So, I want to plead them to sheathe their swords and return us to international football.”
Bigwigs of the NFF are expected to hold far reaching consultations on the court case at the Jos High Court.
The strike by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria have made it nearly impossible for the case to be heard in court and only an out-of-court settlement could be the only way to settle the imbroglio.
Ogaba would also inform Completesportsnigeria.com that he has settled his differences with Lobi Stars Chairman, Dominic Iorfa.
Ogaba was in the coaching crew of Lobi Stars but a disagreement about administrative matters saw the youngest member of the Flying Eagles squad to the 1989 FIFA U-20 world Cup in Saudi Arabia releived of his duties.
“We’ve sorted out our differences and are now thinking about how to improve the lot of the club.
“I had issues with Iorfa and Barnabas imenger (snr) when I returned from Europe which made me to leave my job, but as I would later find out, Iorfa meant well, he is a nice man and the focus is now on Lobi’s campaign in the League. That is why peace should be given a chance. We cannot achieve anything in crisis,” Ogaba concluded.
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