Former defender Ben Iroha declines to lead Nigeria’s football federation
Former Nigeria national team defender Ben Iroha said he does not want to take up the position of president of the Nigeria Football Federation. In an interview with Premium Times Nigeria, he said that he would not accept the role even if it were offered to him without having to compete for it, as he would not be able to cope with a range of tasks.
Crisis in Nigerian football
Iroha’s statement came amid discussions about reforms in Nigerian football and calls to involve former players in the federation’s leadership. The publication reports that a delegation from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football visited Nigeria in search of a way out of the crisis in football governance.
Concerns about the state of football intensified after Nigeria’s men’s national team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Iroha called the result very regrettable and said the team needs to understand its problems, acknowledge them and return to work on the pitch.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Players and life after a career
The former footballer believes that modern Nigerian players have talent but differ from his generation in their level of passion for representing the national team. At the same time, he stressed that current athletes should not be blamed, as this is a different generation.
Iroha also advised young footballers to prepare in advance for the end of their careers. According to him, it is important for players to listen to financial advisers, control their spending and invest money, including in real estate. He said that before ending his playing career, he decided to settle in Dallas, bought a house there and went into the auto parts and car business after football.
The former defender also recalled the unity of Nigeria’s 1994 national team squad. According to him, the footballers spent a lot of time together, supported one another and had close relationships outside matches.
