By Ali Elias
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is facing a crisis of credibility, according to former Gombe Football Association chairman, Shuaibu Gara Gombe. In a recent interview on Nigerian Info FM Abuja, Gara Gombe expressed his skepticism about the NFF’s ability to secure funding for a new foreign coach for the Super Eagles, citing a lack of accountability and transparency within the organization.
Gara Gombe’s comments came in response to Sports Minister John Enoh’s suggestion that crowdfunding could be a viable option to pay for a new foreign coach. However, Gara Gombe is adamant that Nigerians will not be willing to contribute to such a fund, given the NFF’s questionable track record.
“We have to resist this other form of tax to pay for a coach, it won’t work,” Gara Gombe emphasized. “The NFF needs to account for every kobo they have received in the last 10 years. They have a credibility problem, and there’s no accountability, no transparency.”
Gara Gombe’s concerns about the NFF’s financial management are not unfounded. The organization has faced numerous allegations of corruption and mismanagement in recent years, leading to a loss of public trust. Without a significant overhaul of its governance structure and financial practices, it seems unlikely that the NFF will be able to convince Nigerians to support its efforts to hire a new foreign coach.
As the Super Eagles continue to struggle on the international stage, the need for effective leadership and sound management within the NFF has never been more pressing. Until the organization can demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability, it is unlikely to regain the trust of Nigerians.