NFF shortlists 10 Nigerian referees for VAR training in Morocco

By Dayo Awoniyi

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in collaboration with the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), has shortlisted 10 indigenous referees for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) training in Morocco as part of a major technological upgrade to Nigerian football.

NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye confirmed the development in an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra, noting that all selected referees are computer literate and were chosen to prepare the league for the introduction of VAR.

“The next level now is that we want to advance to the level of having VAR here in the league,” Elegbeleye said, highlighting the league’s commitment to improving officiating standards and embracing modern football technologies.

He added that the NPFL had already held an online meeting with VAR manufacturers and system producers, marking a key step toward full implementation.

“We, as a league body, had an online meeting with the manufacturers of VAR and the producers of the machine,” he said.

The VAR initiative is expected to enhance decision-making accuracy, reduce controversial calls, and foster greater fairness and transparency in match officiating. This move also aims to align the NPFL with global best practices, potentially increasing the league’s appeal to sponsors, investors, and fans.

The referees’ training in Morocco will focus on both theoretical and practical aspects of VAR usage, preparing them to operate the system effectively when deployed in domestic fixtures.

With this move, the NPFL is on track to become one of the most technologically advanced leagues in Africa, underlining a broader ambition to modernize Nigerian football and restore its competitive edge both locally and continentally.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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