Former Super Eagles first choice keeper, Peterside Idah, wants former sports loving Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, to join the FIFA presidency race.
Speaking last night on popular cable TV sports channel, SuperSports, Idah said he wants the nation's soccer authorities to officially present Kalu, insisting that his candidacy will receive massive support across Africa, Middle East and beyond.
The S/Africa-based ex-international, who is now a Pastor and TV analyst, pointed out that Kalu, who, as Abia governor propelled Enyimba FC to perform the historic feat of ruling Africa back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, has got the clout and contacts to run for the top soccer job.
“Kalu's candidacy will receive massive support on the African continent, the Middle East and other parts of the world. Nigeria as a nation should present him as a candidate. Kalu is passionate about the round leather game. He has promoted the game and we saw what he did with Nigeria’s Enyimba as governor,” Idah said.
According to Idah, an African FIFA president won't disappoint, the same way Ghana's Koffi Anan and Nigeria's Emeka Anyaoku never did as Secretary Generals of the United Nation and Commonwealth respectively.
The crisis ridden FIFA on February 26 next year go to the polls after its elective congress, to elect a new president who would be expected to carry out total reforms.
Incumbent president of the world soccer governing body, Sepp Blatter, has since opted to step down following allegations of corruption leveled against top officials of the body.
The only African that has so far shown interest in the FIFA presidency race is Liberia’s FA chairman, Musa Bility, who the Issa Hayatou-led Confederation of African Football (CAF) has come out to say they won’t support. UEFA president Michel Platini and Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein have also declared their interest.
Hayatou, it would be noted, has on several occasions in the past showered plaudits on Kalu for his support for African football.