Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, has strongly refuted claims that he called for the dissolution of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board.
In a statement, Okocha clarified that he had never given any interview or comment on the matter and urged the media to be more responsible by verifying information before publication to avoid misleading the public.
The controversy started after certain media reports suggested that Okocha had criticized the NFF’s decision to appoint Mali’s Eric Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles. The media coverage implied that Okocha was unhappy with the NFF's choice, leading to the assumption that he called for the board’s dissolution.
However, speaking on Lagos Talks FM, the football legend categorically denied the allegations and emphasized the critical importance of accurate attribution in media reporting. He made it clear that the supposed interview never took place and expressed confusion over why he was quoted in such a manner.
“I didn’t grant any interview. I don’t know why the person that wrote that story quoted me,” Okocha told Vanguard. “If you want to talk to me, you can call me. We might have similar opinions on certain things, but let it come from me, not from someone else.”
Okocha went on to dismiss the notion that he had ever called for the NFF Board’s removal, reinforcing his respect for the board’s democratic electoral process. He further clarified that even if there were issues within the NFF, the appropriate procedure must be followed, and the board could not be arbitrarily dissolved.
“Even if things are wrong in the NFF, you cannot say they should dissolve the board. There is a process; they are elected,” he explained, emphasizing the need for respecting governance structures.
In addition, Okocha highlighted his long-standing and close relationship with NFF figures such as Ibrahim Gusau, Victor Ikpeba, Garba Lawal, and Augustine Eguavoen, pointing out that he prefers to resolve matters through private discussions rather than airing grievances publicly. He conveyed his preference for direct communication, stressing that if he had anything to say, he would reach out to the concerned individuals directly without resorting to public criticism.
“If I have anything to say, I’ll reach out and talk to them directly,” he said, underscoring his commitment to handling sensitive matters behind closed doors.
