Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, has denied claims that he criticised the Nigeria Football Federation or called for the dissolution of its board.
A Nigerian newspaper had allegedly claimed that Okocha criticised the Nigeria Football Federation over the appointment of the new Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle and called for the dissolution of its board.
But in an interview on Lagos Talks FM, Okocha dismissed the reports as “baseless”.
Okocha strongly refuted an online article saying, “I didn’t grant any interview. I don’t know why the person that wrote that story quoted me.”
While acknowledging that the NFF might have challenges, Okocha stressed the importance of respecting the board’s structure.
He pointed out that even if there are flaws, the NFF board should not be dissolved, as members are elected.
“If you want to talk to me, you can call me. We might have similar opinions on certain things, but let it come from me,” Okocha said.
“Even if you know that things are wrong in the NFF, you cannot say they should dissolve the NFF Board. There is a process; they are elected.”
The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, who has close ties with key NFF officials, including President Ibrahim Gusau, Technical Department head Augustine Eguavoen, and Technical Committee member Victor Ikpeba, said his preference for private discussions over public confrontations.
He stated, “If I have anything to say, I’ll reach out and talk to them. I don’t have to communicate to them through the press.”
Okocha also expressed his respect for the NFF leadership, underlining that he values open dialogue, but would only go public if his concerns were ignored.
He reaffirmed his longstanding relationships with top NFF figures, noting his past football achievements with them, including winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and the 1996 Olympic gold medal.
