Former Nigerian International and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) presidential aspirant, Peterside Idah, has promised to run a transparent federation where all money spent and received will be published and make available for all Nigerians to see. Idah stated this on Friday while speaking with Tribune Sports at the draws for the second edition of the Abuja Veterans Invitation Tournament held at the Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Idah, a prominent voice and analyst on Super Sport channels, said his passion for Nigeria and the need to do what is right for football administration in the country informed his decision to throw his hat into the ring to contest for the NFF topmost job.
“I’m absolutely qualified. I have served Nigeria, I played in the league, I played outside the country and I came back to serve as a media officer of the national team. I love Nigeria. I’m passionate about Nigeria. I made up my mind (about the NFF Presidency) because I believe I can bring changes. My manifesto is out we are just waiting for the whistle to blow.
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“One of the things I want to assure every Nigerian is that you will never see a more transparent NFF when I become President. We are going to be so transparent. Every money that comes into the coffers, we will publish. Every money we spend we will publish. People want to trust you and once they can trust you, you can change the system. We are coming with trust, we are coming to bring changes that will shock Nigerians. Our game will change.”
While expressing the hope that the NFF election will hold, he lauded the Presidency for expanding the space to accommodate more people to have a say in who becomes the NFF President through voting.
“I think it’s been unfair that a group of people can determine who becomes (President of the NFF) but when we bring more people it is good. The journalists are supposed to be part of our system we need to bring them in. Ex-players must come in, different people must come in to make sure that we are a strong unit so that when we take decisions, we represent the whole of Nigeria. I think it is a great decision. The President must be a soothsayer to sèe ahead and say the election needed to hold and the election will hold,” the former Rangers, Enyimba and BBC Lions goalkeeper stated.
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Idah however picked Francis Uzoho as his number one safe hands for the Super Eagles saying the young goalkeeper’s ability to deal with ball flight and crosses takes him above his contemporaries.
‘I have always loved Uzoho. I watched him in Russia. We have always had challenges even in our own time. A lot of goalkeepers don’t know how to deal with flight of ball and crosses but Uzoho is good.
“He (Uzoho) is even better (Vincent) Enyeama in the crosses. The only person that will come close to Uzoho in dealing with crosses is Wilfred Agbonibavre, he was master of dealing with crosses. Enyeama was a great shot stopper but for me Uzoho is number one.”