A former Nigeria coach, Adegboye Onigbinde has advised the new leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation under Ambassador Chris Giwa not to be intimidated with a FIFA ban on Nigeria in view of the latest developments. Even if there is a FIFA ban, we need it. It may be a blessing in disguise. In a telephone interview, the former Super Eagles coach said, “Ordinarily FIFA does not have the right to dictate to member nations on matters of internal administration where elections fall into. If you read the defence that FIFA put up in the Court of Arbitration on Sports (CAS) in the Adama Yahaya and Obinna Ogba case, it was clearly stated.”
According to Chief Onigbinde, “I am 80. I don’t need any appointment. The truth is our football is in the doldrums. This is a great opportunity to get things done right. I don’t care if we are banned by FIFA. If we are banned over the crisis and we use the one or two years to reposition and sanitise our football, then let it be.”
“My interest is on how we can grow the game in the country and not whether FIFA bans us or not. If it takes the ban for us to get it right, I think I strongly support that,” he said.