NPFL Prioritizes VAR Over Goal-Line Technology – Davidson Owumi

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced its strategic decision to prioritize the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology over Goal-Line Technology in its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of officiating and match integrity across the league.

Davidson Owumi, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NPFL, made the disclosure as part of the league’s long-term development plans. According to Owumi, the broader functionality of VAR makes it a more impactful investment at this stage of the NPFL’s evolution.

<span;>> “Goal-Line Technology only monitors scoring situations, while VAR assists in multiple aspects of the game including offsides, penalties, and red card decisions,” Owumi explained. “So we are prioritising VAR over Goal-Line Technology, even though both remain out of reach at the moment.”

The implementation of VAR is seen as a significant step forward in aligning the NPFL with global standards, as both technologies are widely used in top-tier European and international football competitions.

The NPFL remains committed to continuous innovation and improvement, with the 2025/2026 season officially scheduled to kick off on August 22, 2025, and conclude on May 24, 2026.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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