Obafemi Martins claims superior speed and suggests NFF leadership

Former Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins has drawn attention through recent comments regarding his professional career and the future of Nigerian football administration. During an appearance on the ‘Obi One Podcast’ hosted by John Obi Mikel, Martins claimed that during his prime, his acceleration and speed were superior to those of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Thierry Henry.

Martins also faced criticism following his suggestion that Seyi Tinubu could be a suitable candidate to lead the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). This suggestion comes amid a leadership shake-up in the NFF, following the mass resignation of former president Ibrahim Gusau and his board. The resignations occurred after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons failed to secure a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. While Martins argued that the federation needs young leadership to understand the modern system, other figures, such as former international Ifeanyi Udeze, have dismissed the idea as inappropriate.