THE development programmes, being organised by FIFA for Nigerian referees in partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has produced its first fruits as the world football governing body has listed Nigerian referee Peter Edibe to officiate at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
In the same line, another Nigerian referee, Bosede Ashidat Momoh, a lady, has been listed as an assistant referee by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the African Women Championship, which will begin in Equatorial Guinea in November.
Edibe, who is one of Nigeria’s best referees, also participated in the last Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. Disclosing the development during the opening ceremony of the one week FIFA-Member Associations Elite Referees course at the FIFA Technical Development Centre in Abuja, the technical instructor, Felix Tsangawarima, said the body was pleased with the rate of development of Nigerian referees.
He added that the choice of referees for international championship has proved that the development programmes were producing results in the country.
The Zimbabwean FIFA technical instructor urged Nigerian referees not to rest on their oars as, according to him, their performance on the field would continue to bring them invitations to more international championships by both FIFA and CAF.
While congratulating both Edibe and Momoh for their recognition by FIFA, the instructor noted that Nigerian referees have continued to give positive response to the FIFA technical course, adding that the country dominates in the number of referees that have shown interest in the course in Africa.
“We are quite happy at the development of Nigerian referees. A lot of work has been done in conjunction with the NFF since our last course here,” he said. “They are not doing badly and you can agree with me that it is the rate at which they are developing that has led to the recognition given them by both FIFA and CAF.
“Nigeria has had women referees at the previous championships. Their inclusion at high-level championships of this nature is an indication that they are doing well.”
Common sense is indeed not common.
Posted: at 4-10-2012 07:26 PM (12 years ago) | Hero