Patrick Odegbami Joins Race to FIFA Presidency

Patrick Olusegun Odegbami is set to stand in next year’s FIFA election.

Odegbami better known as ‘Mathematical’, a name given to him in his active days by late ace sports commentator, Ernest Okonkwo because of his zig-zag, deceptive, extraordinary dribbling skills and mastery in outwitting defenders is one of the best players to have played football in Nigeria and by his decision to join the race for the FIFA presidency stands out as the first authentic African to aspire to the position since Blatter agreed to step down as President.

Candidates have until October 26 to come forward to signify interest. They must have the confirmed backing of at least five of Fifa’s 209 member nations, and be cleared by the world governing body’s ethics committee, to be able to stand.

The candidate shall have played an active role in association football (as a board member, committee member, referee and assistant referee, coach, trainer and any other person responsible for technical, medical or administrative matters in FIFA, a Confederation, Association, League or Club or as a player) for two of the last five years before being proposed as a candidate (cf. art. 24 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes).