Akwuegbu’s NFF Ambition Gathers Momentum As Kanu, Amuneke, Others Back Former Super Eagles Captain

The race for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appears to be taking a new turn, with former Super Eagles captain Benedict Akwuegbu, popularly known as the “Austrian Bomber,” attracting support from some of Nigeria’s most respected football figures.

Akwuegbu’s recent engagements in Imo State brought him face-to-face with former Super Eagles stars Emmanuel Amuneke and Nwankwo Kanu, as well as Imo State Football Association chairman, Barrister Ifeanyi Dike, in what has further strengthened his campaign for the NFF top job.

Amuneke warmly received Akwuegbu and described the meeting as an opportunity for capable hands to come together and restore Nigerian football to its rightful place.

He also called for greater unity among former internationals, stressing that they could become a powerful force for positive change in Nigerian football.

The former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, also welcomed Akwuegbu’s decision to contest for the NFF presidency. Kanu spoke about the long-standing challenge of disunity among former internationals and expressed delight that one of his colleagues had stepped forward to seek leadership of the game.

Kanu subsequently offered his support, acknowledging that the journey could be long but insisting that it was achievable.

At the Imo State Football Association, Barrister Ifeanyi Dike equally declared his support for Akwuegbu, saying his position was driven by the need for a change in the direction of Nigerian football.

For Akwuegbu, the Imo visit was an “amazing homecoming.” He described Amuneke and Kanu as important pillars of Nigerian football whose experience and knowledge could help move the game forward.

He also praised Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for what he described as the transformation of the state.

“Governor Hope Uzodimma has transformed Imo State. He is doing a wonderful job, and I must commend his efforts. In fact, he is the best governor Imo has ever had,” Akwuegbu said.

One of Akwuegbu’s strongest selling points is his extensive experience across virtually every level of Nigerian football.

He represented Nigeria at U-17 level with the Golden Eaglets, progressed to the Flying Eagles, featured for the U-23 side and eventually played for and captained the senior national team, the Super Eagles.

His professional career also took him to several foreign clubs, particularly in Australia, where he earned the nickname “Austrian Bomber.” After retiring from active football, he moved into management, working with clubs including Plateau United, Heartland FC and Mighty Jets FC.

Akwuegbu also returned to the classroom, obtaining a B.Sc. Honours degree in Sports Management in London before subsequently earning an M.Sc. in Nursing.

His football involvement has equally extended to grassroots development. In 2003, he established Akwuegbu United FC, managed by former international Ndubuisi Opara, with the club reaching the Federation Cup semi-finals. In 2012, he founded Mbaise Lions, which later faced Heartland FC in the finals of the FA cup.

He currently owns football clubs in Plateau State, including Ben Akwuegbu FC, competing in NLO 1 and NLO 2 . His football projects have also provided opportunities for former internationals to work as coaches and managers.

As the NFF race unfolds, Akwuegbu is positioning himself as a candidate whose experience extends beyond his achievements as a footballer.

He has played for Nigeria at virtually every level, captained the Super Eagles, managed clubs, invested in grassroots football and studied sports management.

His growing engagement with former internationals and football stakeholders is also bringing the question of greater involvement of football legends in the administration of the game to the forefront.

For his supporters, Akwuegbu represents an opportunity to combine playing experience, administrative knowledge, grassroots development and professional education in steering Nigerian football.

The race remains open, but one thing is increasingly evident: Benedict Akwuegbu is making a determined case that the man who has experienced Nigerian football from the grassroots to the international stage may now be ready to lead it from the boardroom.