Ben ‘Austria Bomber’ Akwuegbu now has a giant step forward towards the actualisation of the NFF Presidency following his endorsement by the body of the Nigerian Association of retired Professional Footballers, Orientdaily reports.
With the latest endorsement, the one-time captain of the Super Eagles and one of the very few who represented the country at virtually all the grades of the nation’s male national teams may have snapped the ticket to contest the September 2022 NFF Presidency polls.
Akwuegbu, who played professional football across eight (8) countries of the globe, has not hidden his desire to usher in sweeping reforms in the county’s ailing football.
UEFA coaching badged and former Heartland Assistant General Manager, Akwuegbu is banking on his huge experience as a former Gratcom FC, Austria coach and Mighty Jets of Jos Technical Director to drive home his conviction that he has all it takes to take the domestic football to the next level.
Presently, the one-time founder and soulfinancier of Mbaise Lions FC and Akwuegbu Utd FC are a 200 Level Mental Nurse Undergraduate of Angelia Ruskin University, A.R.U, London, England.
The 47-year-old, at the flag-off ceremony, was the first ex-player endorsed by five top Executive members of the players union, including Harrison Jalla, Chairman Taks Force, Barrister Rumson Baribote, Dairu Sadi, Edema Fuludu and Austin Popo at the luxurious D’stolz Villa and Hospitality, Life Camp Abuja.
“I’m delighted with what has just taken place now”, Akwuegbu said.
“It’s high time players take charge of what belonged to them from the politicians.
“since 1945 when NFF was created, no player has been able to become the NFF President.
“But now that we have discovered that politicians cannot take the game to the Promised Land, the Nigeria football players have decided to present the best candidate for the job and that was what has happened today with my endorsement.
“I’m happy, I’m excited. Let’s put hands together to ensure a better tomorrow for our football”.
Akwuegbu represented Nigeria at the U17 in Scotland in 1989.
He made his Super Eagles debut in the 2000 AFCON against Tunisia.
In 2002, Coach Adegboyega Onigbinde included Akwuegbu in his final squad for that year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Japan.
He featured in the Super Eagles scoreless draw against the Three Lions of England in Nigeria’s final group game.