Embattled FIFA President Sepp Joseph Blatter has thrown his hat in the ring in support of Africa producing the next FIFA President.
Two Nigerians, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Segun Odegbami have indicated interest in the plum job.
Speaking on a local Swiss radio station over the weekend, Blatter said Africa had contributed so much to the development of football that it would not be out of place if the continent produces the next FIFA president.
"Africa can produce the next FIFA president, why not. Nigeria is an interesting football country which has participated in all FIFA competitions, winning the U-17 World Cup four times and doing well at the. big stage. Other continents should support Nigeria because of her pedigree. The world should give Nigeria a chance because she can bring a lot of positive developments to world football. "
Meanwhile, Blattter has also urged FIFA to stick to the time table for the elections, affirming that this would ensure the credibility of the process.
CAF is expected to meet in Cairo next week to consider the candidacy of Kalu and Odegbami for the FIFA top job.
There is a proposal to bar any past FIFA Executive Committee members from contesting the election due to their indictments over allegations of corruption.
Meanwhile UEFA chief, Michel Platini, yesterday admitted he had no written contract for a $2.0 million payment from FIFA president Blatter as his chances of replacing the Swiss veteran as head of the world body nosedived ahead of a key FIFA council meeting in Zurich today.
In his first interview since being handed a 90-day suspension from all football-related activities by FIFA the former star player for France and Juventus told Le Monde that, although he had nothing in writing, he had made a "man to man" agreement with Blatter over the contested remuneration.
Platini added that, as he understood it, under Swiss law "an oral contract is worth a written contract". FIFA is based in Zurich and is subject to Swiss law.
Blatter, who is also serving a 90-day suspension amid a huge corruption scandal engulfing the game, said last week that the payment made to Platini in 2011 for consultancy work carried out years previously, was "a gentleman's agreement".
Platini, who also had a spell as France coach, told Le Monde he felt Blatter was seeking to "kill me politically" over the payment which looks to have doomed any chance of his succeeding him.
He had been seen as favourite to take over in February until he was named in a Swiss criminal investigation into Blatter's management of FIFA
"It was a contract I had with Platini, a gentleman's agreement," said the 79-year-old Blatter in an interview with Swiss media RROTV.
"It was implemented. I can't give any more details, the issue is being discussed in two investigations."
The suspensions on Blatter and 60-year-old Platini, were announced as Swiss authorities conduct a criminal investigation into corruption allegations at the scandal-tainted world football governing body.
Platini told Le Monde he felt "shame at being dragged through the mud".
He explained that Blatter had wanted him to work alongside him at FIFA after the Swiss took over but he turned down the request as he was organising that year's World Cup which France hosted and won.
Blatter then came back and asked for his services as an advisor, asking "how much do you want?"
Platini said he replied: "A million."Asked to specify which currency he said: "Whatever you want, rubles, pounds, dollars."
He said Blatter agreed to pay a million Swiss francs per year (around $770 000 at the time.
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