Nigeria Referees Association President, Otunba Tade Azeez spoke to our source in Sports247.ng at the ALHAN pre-season tournament holding in Kano on Wednesday evening about the progress of Nigeria in world football.
According to the soft spoken football administrator, “The referees did very well and also the impression portrayed by referee in this test going on in Kano show that they have always being training and that has played out in the cause of the test.”
He added, “Quite a number of them did very well in the test, which shows they are ready at anytime to be called upon.”
Regards up rise of Nigerian in Elite continents, he said, “If you recollect two years ago in an interview I had with you. I said then that it was a new beginning for Nigerian referees, which as seen an increased involvement of Nigerian referees in prestigious tournaments in Africa. Today we are seeing the result of that new dawn I spoke about.”
“The ultimate goal is for Nigeria Referees to participate in the World Cup, and we are strongly determined to achieving that set goal.”
Otunba Azeez was however disappointed that Nigeria had no representative in the Elite A camp but hold hopes that this season might possibly get one.
“The Nigerian referees are a work in progress which I believe will soon reap a reward that would see our referees nominated to officiate at prestigious competition like the AFCON and FIFA World Cup.” Concluded the NRA Chairman.
