By Victor Enyinnaya on January 12, 2017

As the 48-team format of FIFA World Cup football summit got the approval of the congress in Zurich, some notable figures in Nigerian football, namely, Prince Isidore Oduah, Moses Kpakor and Prince Vincent Okumagba have applauded the foresight of the leadership of the World sport’s governing body on its spirited bid to not only make much revenue for the game but also to improve the tenets of the game across the globe.

According to Oduah, a former member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) the coming of Gianni Infantino as FIFA supremo has brought lots of hope and dignity to the once embattled and corruption infested body. “He is not only a visioner but also a true reformer. His expansion of the World Cup to a 48-team format would remain the gains of the most populous sport in all ramifications. In short, it is the best decision ever from the once revered FIFA, which later rolled itself to messy unprecedented corruption in the history of the world football body.

“Let me salute Infanito for his ingenuity in the game. I saw it coming because he started off on sound footing when he sourced the General Secretary of the body from outside the establishment and settled for who I have described severally as a virtuous African woman who has made her mark as integrity compliant personality at her UN representative office in Nigeria. Since his arrival as FIFA boss, he has shown zero tolerance for corruption ensuring everyone that had a hand in bringing FIFA’s name into disrepute has question to answer no matter his status.

"He should not relent and not spare them. The crusade must gather more momentum, as the 48- team format would develop the game across the globe and give more countries the opportunity to participate in the most glamorous football summit in the world,” Oduah remarked.

For ex-international, Kpakor, it is one decision that must be sustained and would remain the best option for football in the world.

He added that it was the best move in the right direction. FIFA, he insisted, “would make tremendous progress in all spheres during the reign of Infanito, he has shown much capacity, passion and interest to move the sport genuinely forward and also rid it of corrupt tendencies that sadly engulfed it. He is leading right presently and one prays he continues same unabated without being allowed to be caught in the web that undid his predecessor and most of his executive committee members,” he said. 

National Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Prince Vincent Okumagba, described the FIFA boss as a no nonsense administrator and a goal getter.

He explains that he was not surprised on the smooth sail of his 48-country world Cup format which attracted positive acclamation among stakeholders and pundits.

The NFSC chief recalled that he came to head FIFA when the body was like a leper and having brought some good measure of respect to it within this time, speaks volume of his acumen.

“The world stood still for him and the latest innovation. His focus is dripping. He should not allow himself to fall victim to the tricks of some spoilers around him. And his zero tolerance for bribery and corruption must reach topmost,” he added.   

It would be recalled that the World Cup was expanded to host 48 teams up from 32.

An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when the change is made for the 2026 tournament.

The football governing body voted unanimously in favour of the positive change at its meeting in Zurich on Tuesday.

The number of tournament matches will rise to 80, from 64, but the eventual winners will still play only seven games.

The tournament will be completed within 32 days. The changes mark the first World Cup expansion since 1998. According to FIFA’s own research, revenue is predicted to increase to £5.29 billion for a 48-team tournament, giving a potential profit rise of £521milliom.

•FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino.

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 12, 2017

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