Nigeria Leagues
FIFA instructor Felix Tangawarima predicts bright future for Nigerian Referees
By Saheed Afolabi
FIFA technical instructor Felix Tangawarima has expressed optimism that Nigerian referees will soon start receiving the international recognition they deserve.
Tangawarima, a former FIFA elite referee, led a FIFA team in Abuja for an elite five-day training session for 40 promising young referees. The training aimed to enhance their understanding of the game’s fundamentals.
Tangawarima acknowledged the significant potential within Nigeria’s referee community, asserting that many are on the verge of achieving top-level status.
He emphasized the importance of continuous training and support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to help these referees reach their full potential.
“We have seen so much promise and potential from the Young Talents, and as I said last week, there are exceptional talents in there who can easily step up to the plate to replace some of the elite referees that we believe are no longer good enough,” Tangawarima said in Abuja.
“It is now our responsibility, and that of the NFF, to keep inspiring, supporting, and encouraging those young blood to fulfill their potentials and reach the apogee.”
Tangawarima expressed regret over the ongoing absence of Nigerian referees at major international tournaments and stressed the need for greater motivation and support to maximize their performance.
“It is no longer tenable that major tournaments come and go without Nigerian referees. Something must be done and I can tell you that now, we are on to a good thing,” he continued.
“I am happy about the new direction that the NFF is taking in the area of refereeing development, the commitment of the leadership to motivating the referees, and the personal interest of the NFF President in changing the narrative.”
