Suspended FIFA president Sepp Joseph Blatter has openly declared his
support for former Abia state Governor Dr Orji Uzor Kalu to occupy the
exalted position of FIFA President, even as he has faulted the
candidature of former Secretary General Jerome Champagne and Prince Alli
of Jordan.
Speaking in Zurich, Blatter said ” The position of the FIFA president
is too important to be left to just anybody. I have heard of some
candidates who want to take over from me. But I find the Businessman
from Nigeria Kalu very qualified and interesting because he is not only a
businessman, but a politician with lots of contacts and corporate
experience. He can bring his great experiences to bear in the running of
world football.
He is passionate about the game. I remember how he sponsored one of
Nigerian clubs to win the CAF championship twice. He is a man that can
take world football to the next level”, Blatter told the Swiss Radio
monitored on Sunday.
Blatter said though Kalu had not formally declared his interest, it
was in the best interest of Africa to nominate him because of his deep
passion for the game. “If Africa hopes to win the support of other
federations, then they must queue behind the Nigerian business man.
Football has developed beyond just anybody taking over.
I sacked Jerome Champgne in 2010 so how can he come back to lead an
Association he tried to destroy. You need a man who can command respect
and win friends for football.
With Kalu Africa stands a better chance, he concluded. CAF is
expected to meet next week to decide on a candidate for the election
scheduled for next year. Orji Kalu and Segun Odegbami are the two
candidates vying for the post from Africa,
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