Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigerian referees have been given recognition by the world football governing body, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) which has placed a total of 30 match officials on the international lists for the year 2024.
A breakdown of the numbers released on Thursday shows that 11 officials are centre referees, 11 are assistant referees while four referees each are from beach soccer and futsal football.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a message conveyed to the Nigeria Football Federation, the 11 referees approved for international duty from Nigeria for next year are: Basheer Salisu, Ogabor Odey Joseph, Olufunmilayo Abigael Alaba, Nurudeen Abubakar, Abdulsalam Kasimu Abiola, Elaigwe Hannah Enekole, Akintoye Yemisi Eunice, Egba Patrick John, Madu Ndidi Patience, Mustapha Grema Mohammed and Abdullahi Abubakar.
The 11 persons approved as assistant referees are: Pwadutakam Samuel, Igudia Efosa Celestine, Abibatu Iyadunni, Muhammad Yakubu, Mfon Friday Akpan, Digbori Tejiri, Usman Abdulmajeed Olaide, Igho Hope Ogenekewe, Terah Kabenda Beauty, Ahmad Mustapha Tijjani and Agbons Faith.
Nigerian referees have not been part of major international competitions of late with none of them making the cut for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivorie.
No Nigerian referee was also deemed good enough for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
