By Tony Unabi, in South Africa
A former Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Nwabufo Obienu has said the withdrawal of all national teams from international football competitions for the next two years, was good for the long-term growth of Nigerian football.

Speaking against the backdrop of yesterday’s declaration by President Goodluck Jonathan that Nigeria would no longer compete in all FIFA-related competitions, on account of the poor performance of the Super Eagles at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa, Obienu, said that “in as much as I don’t want government interference, it is good for our football. NFF was confronting government and at the same time collecting from them.

“Now, we will sit back and develop from within, which is what I have always canvassed for. We cannot pretend that all is well with our football, so we have to do something drastic, before we plunge further into disrepute”, added Obienu, who spoke on the telephone.

He also called on the government to set up an interim body to restructure Nigerian football.
“FG should use EFCC to go after them. Election should go on but we should get credible people to run. Let’s make our football an industry that would generate money for all”, said Obienu.