Jay Jay Okocha Insists He Didn’t Ask For Disbandment Of NFF Board

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha has addressed recent reports suggesting he criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and called for the dissolution of its board, stating that these claims are unfounded.

Speaking on Lagos Talks FM, Okocha expressed his concern about the dissemination of misinformation and emphasized the importance of accuracy in journalism.

The misunderstanding arose from an online article that alleged Okocha publicly condemned the NFF for appointing Malian coach Eric Chelle as the new manager of Nigeria’s senior national team.

However, Okocha clarified, “I didn’t grant any interview. I don’t know why the person that wrote that story quoted me,” highlighting the need for verification before publishing statements attributed to him.

He urged journalists to reach out directly for comment, asserting, “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 recognized that while there may be areas for improvement within the NFF, it is crucial to respect its established processes and governance, explaining, “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.”

Okocha also reinforced his strong relationships with key figures in Nigerian football, including NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and Technical Committee member Victor Ikpeba.

He emphasized the value of private discussions over public statements, stating, “I am close to (Ibrahim) Gusau, Victor (Ikpeba), Garba (Lawal), and (Augustine) Eguavoen. 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.”

With a commitment to constructive dialogue, Okocha expressed that if his concerns are not heard through personal communication, he may consider going public.