Unable to nick the endorsements of five African countries as statutorily required, by Monday’s deadline, Mathematical Segun Odegbami who got into the race to lead FIFA with so much bluster a few weeks ago, has announced that his hat won’t be in the ring come February when football elects its new chief.

This brings to near zero, the number of Africans who’ll be vying for the presidency from a pool of four, two weeks ago. Odegbami follows in the footsteps of former Abia governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, who announced his withdrawal from the race on Monday as well.

Odegbami was endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to vie for the position last week, but he’s blamed other Nigerians in football circles for torpedoing his bid.

“Where were Amos Adamu and (Orji) Kalu yesterday (Monday)? It’s a Nigerian thing to bring down others,” Today.ng quotes Odegbami as saying in frustration on a radio program monitored in Abuja.

“Well, I have done my own bit and it is left for others to do theirs.”

Apt.