Former Super Eagles player, Obafemi Martins, has recommended Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as the next Nigerian Football Federation President.
Martins made the recommendation while speaking on a podcast show with fellow former Super Eagles player and captain, Mikel Obi.
The duo had during the session attributed the challenges facing the national team to the NFF leadership with Obi recounting their struggle during his time as captain.
In his remark captured in a video posted on X on Monday, Martins harped on the need to get a young person who understands the affairs of Nigerian football as the new NFF President following the resignation of former president, Ibrahim Gusau.
‘It’s always been like that. We just need someone that can help.
‘We need a young person that understands the game and understands the system.’ He said.
The former Nigerian striker recommended Tinubu for the role, stressing that he understands what Nigerians wants from the federation.
‘And I think Seyi Tinubu can do that to. He is young and he understands what Nigerian people wants. He can change that if he wants to. He is not the president but still, he is making an effort.’ Martins said.
This had sparked mixed reactions from netizens with several people objecting the ex-Nigerian international’s viewpoint and recommendation of Tinubu as next NFF President.
‘Other countries are having former footballers as their president but my country Ex footballer is calling on someone who’s known nothing about football to become the president.’ @munyen_desmond
‘As how like as how? They should get a very experienced person to occupy that office. The President of the republic of Nigeria himself can help the NFF president to achieve these for the National football club.’ @agbevem
‘Obafemi Martins should know better. As a former footballer, you understand the problems in Nigerian football. Why endorse Seyi Tinubu for NFF president when his professional experience is not in football administration? Is it because he is your friend?’ @Naija2Mata
‘You need more than an understanding of “what Nigerians want” to be qualified to coach a team. We need to put our NFF in order and hire experience’ @aliatta31
‘NFF is not a youth empowerment program. NFF doesn’t just need youth, it needs someone who has actually run football – leagues, academies, sponsorships, FIFA politics. That job has broken ex-internationals who lived football all their lives. Liking football and being the President’s son is not a CV for football administration.’ @MichaelAbiodun
‘Upon all the people on the sports industry, what was running in the Obafemi’s head was Seyi Tinubu. Obagoal must be ashamed of himself.’ @FreshChijioke
‘I don’t know why it’s difficult to see any reasonable ex player make intelligent comments, okocha was they talking rubbish the other time, now this anyhow boy called obafemi is just here saying another rubbish. Nigerian football has a long way to go.’@santi_khaa
‘As a super eagles player they’d complain but once they retire and start being involved they start behaving like politicians’ @iamobliss
