NFF boss Gusau promises VAR introduction in NPFL before tenure expiration

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has promised the introduction of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) before the end of his tenure in 2026.

VAR has not been implemented at any level in the country but Gusau made the promise during the maiden retreat for board members and staff of the NPFL which was held on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the NFF will leave no stone unturned to see that Nigeria referees benefit from the VAR training which will be organised by the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) in January 2024.

According to Gusau, the NFF will work with the Moroccoan and Egyptian Football Federations to see that Nigerian referees get the best training in VAR, stressing that NFF is ready to sponsor at least 10 referees for the January training.

Zambian League recently joined the list of countries in Africa that have adopted the VAR.

With the popular use of VAR across major leagues in Europe, it is an open secret that the technology will in no distant time become an integral part of the major leagues in Africa.

The use of technology is gradually gaining ground in the game of football. From electronic substitution board to referee communication gadgets, Nigeria should not be left out of the football technology merry-go-round across the world.