President of Nigeria Referees Association, Otunba Tade Azeez has reiterated his belief in the abilities and qualities of Nigerian football referees.
In a telephone chat on the backdrop of the recent appointments of some Nigerian referees for the football event of the forthcoming All Africa Games in Morocco, Tade Azeez, who also doubles as the Vice- Chairman of Lagos FA, was also quick to debunk claims that Nigerian referees were considered not good enough by CAF and FIFA.
” We have always had top rated referees in Nigeria. Recently, one of our highly rated referees, Ferdinand Udoh was selected for the ongoing AFCON, but could not attend because of injury during training.
Speaking on the criteria for selection of officials for continental and global tournaments, he stated that the referee’s selections are based on training, refresher courses and fitness level of referees.
” If you see referees from countries like Togo and Gambia during those big tournaments, it is not because we don’t have quality referees. Our referees are good. And the recent appointments of Quadri Adebimpe and Hilda Nkwocha, for the male and female football events of the All Africa Games, is a testimony that we have good referees in Nigeria.
” We are poised to improve the quality of our referees in all of its ramifications. Nigeria won’t fail to produce quality referees that would be good ambassadors at the international scene, at all times, ” he assured.
