By Jacob Ajom

Former Nigeria international and Ranger International Football Club of Enugu player, Ernest Ufeli has called on the Confederation of African Football, CAF, find ways of strengthening its sub-regional affiliates rather than “killing” them.

Speaking on the recent resolution by the CAF Executive Committee on the purported division of the West African Football Union (WAFU) into Zones, the former Nigeria international said the decision was a direct interference in the running of WAFU by CAF and a direct way of killing WAFU.

“No!” Ufele started, in a telephone chat with Sports Vanguard. “What CAF has done is more political than for administrative convenience. It is not done,” he said.

The former Rangers strongman said the CAF decision was a big disincentive to the development of football in the West African sub-region and called on the continental ruling body to do a rethink on the matter.

The former international was surprised CAF took the decision soon after WAFU had staged what he observed as a good tournament in Abeokuta. “We witnessed good football in Abeokuta and I expected CAF to follow that up with encouraging words and not disbanment.

“WAFU has been in existence for long, why has CAF suddenly realised the need to break it into bits. It is against the spirit of ECOWAS and definitely should not be allowed to stand. We need stronger regional bodies and not their balkanisation,” an angry Ufele said.