FORMER Super Eagles skipper Chief Segun Odegbami has joined the list of candidates vying to become the next president of world football governing body Fifa when it elects a new head in February next year. 

Current Fifa president Sepp Blatter, stepped down in June and a congress to elect a new head will take place in Zurich, Switzerland on February 26, 2016. Already, the head of Europe's football governing body Uefa, Michel Platini and Brazilian Zico are in the contest, with other candidates like to be Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, Luis Figo of Portugal, Senes Erzik of Turkey, Chung Mong-joon of South Korea and Ted Howard of America. 

Popularly known as Mathematical Odegbami, Chief Odegbami, 63, said he is running because the world football governing body needs a new era of leadership to restore dignity to the sport after recent scandals. He has already conveyed his intention to the Nigeria Football Federation, as required by Fifa's electoral guidelines and to the federal government seeking its support. 

Chief Odegbami said: “The current scandal at Fifa is the organisation’s worst crisis in its 111 years of existence. Moving forward, Fifa thus requires a new era of leadership that can restore the dignity of the noble sport and that of this esteemed international institution with global followership.

 "“Times like this call for all concerned members of the global football family to contribute to the actualisation of renewed objectives for Fifa by electing a deserving and qualified person, with the right character that can achieve the desired goals and restore confidence and integrity to the organisation and its activities. The world is very interested in who becomes the next Fifa president, considering the present image and state of this institution and I see myself fitting into this role.” 

Describing  himself as an African candidate, Chief Odegbami said he believes he has all what is required to get the job done. He has contested for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation on several occasions. 

Featuring for the Super Eagles between 1976 and 1982, Chief Odegbami won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for Nigeria. He has received several national honours and has worked with both clubs and Nigeria's national team in the past. 

Under Fifa's rules, the deadline for candidates to formally present their nominations through their home football federations, with other supporting documents, is October 26. Candidates will then undergo an integrity test, through Fifa’s ad-hoc election committee.