EXCLUSIVE: Christopher Green Sympathises With Gusau, Calls for Fresh Air in NFF Board
Ohis Asein
Two-time former Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Christopher Green, has sympathised with NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, over what he described as the difficult period currently facing Nigerian football following a series of disappointing results by the country’s national teams.
Speaking exclusively to OSPRIMETV on Monday, the immediate past Rivers State Commissioner for Sports described Gusau as a good friend who genuinely means well for Nigerian football, but said the current situation demands fresh ideas, experience and capacity within the NFF Board.
“President Gusau is a good friend and I know he means well for our football, but he needs Competent hands, and those who have the technical know how to turn the Fortune of Nigeria Football around, because at this point where our football has become a laughing stock in Africa, we need fresh air in the Board,” Green said.
According to the former NFF board member, Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the last two FIFA World Cups has become even more painful considering the expansion of the African quota for the 2026 World Cup.
“Here is Nigeria, just missing two World Cups back-to-back, even when the number of slots for Africa has been expanded to nine direct slots plus a possible additional place through the play-off.
“And our Super Falcons, the jewels and pride of Nigerian football, could not secure a place when the opportunity was there. Our age-grade teams that once brought glory and honour to this country are also nowhere to be found.”
Green expressed particular disappointment with the Flying Eagles, who suffered another setback against Burkina Faso, ruling Nigeria out of the African youth championship and consequently the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“Just look at what happened yesterday. The Flying Eagles lost back-to-back to Burkina Faso. That means our absence from the African Youth Championship, a competition we once dominated.
“Our jewels, our pride, the Super Falcons failed to be super and fell to the hands of our bitter rivals.
“Our U20, the Flying Eagles, got their wings clipped. They could not fly to the height where the Eagles fly. They couldn’t make it to Africa, talk less of the World Cup.”
Green said the sequence of poor results should compel football stakeholders to take a critical look at the administration of the game ahead of the September 27 NFF Elective Congress.
He stressed that while Gusau remains the President, the quality and capacity of those surrounding him on the Board will be crucial to determining the success of his administration.
Green therefore called on delegates to look beyond friendship, loyalty and political considerations when choosing those who will administer Nigerian football.
The former NFF board member maintained that Nigeria needs individuals with the experience, courage, competence and capacity to provide constructive criticism and offer solutions when necessary.
He said the forthcoming election should be about the future of Nigerian football and not merely about individuals seeking to retain their positions.
With the September 27 election approaching, Green’s call for “fresh air” on the NFF Board is likely to generate further debate among football stakeholders as Nigeria searches for a way back to the glory days of its national teams.
