Former Super Eagles captain, Jay Jay Okocha, has candidly admitted his tenure as Chairman of the Delta State Football Association (DSFA) was a “woeful failure.”
Speaking on Lagos Talks FM’s Sports Zone program via AllAfrica, Okocha revealed his decision to resign before completing his term due to challenges within the association.
A Disappointing Tenure
Jay Jay Okocha, who assumed the role in 2015, stepped down before his term ended in 2020, with Kenneth Nwaomucha succeeding him as chairman. Reflecting on his experience, Okocha said:
“I failed woefully as Delta FA chairman. I didn’t complete my tenure; I walked away. What I saw there was not what I expected. The place was not conducive for me to work.”
Challenges and Structural Issues
The Nigerian football legend highlighted the structural and systemic issues he faced during his tenure, including conflicting opinions and widespread corruption, as major impediments to his success.
“The people I worked with had different opinions, and the best thing for me to do was to walk away. The level of corruption in all sectors of Nigeria is too much. If you are always around people who have motives, it will not work.”
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A Call for Reform
Okocha’s experience underscores the challenges of governance in Nigerian football administration. He stressed that significant structural reforms are necessary to create an environment where leaders can thrive.
“A lot of things must be in place because I do not think the structure would allow people like us to succeed. That is the honest truth.”
Jay Jay Okocha’s candid admission serves as a sobering reflection on the challenges within Nigeria’s football administration.
