Robert Akpenpuun Completes CAF–WAFU Zone B General Coordinators Course in Benin Republic

Robert Terlumun Akpenpuun, a former Nigeria Premier League match commissioner and protocol officer with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has successfully completed the CAF–WAFU Zone B General Coordinators Training Course held in Porto Novo, Benin Republic.

Akpenpuun, an Assistant Comptroller with the Nigerian Immigration Service currently on diplomatic assignment at the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, was among five NFF personnel nominated for the programme by the President of WAFU Zone B, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

He commended Gusau for the opportunity, describing the training as a valuable platform for professional development and enhanced regional collaboration in football administration.

The course, facilitated by Moroccan instructor Mustapha Slaoui, brought together participants from seven West African countries. Each nation was represented by four delegates, evenly split along gender lines — a structure reflecting a growing commitment to inclusivity in football governance.

Among dignitaries present were the President of the Benin Republic Football Federation and the Executive Director of WAFU Zone B, Philip Tchere, alongside other key stakeholders.

General coordinators play a critical, though often understated, role in continental football competitions by ensuring seamless organisation and strict compliance with regulations during matches.

The training covered core aspects of the role, including:

The strategic function of general coordinators within competition frameworks

Mastery of CAF regulations and operational procedures

Matchday management and logistics

Leadership and communication skills

Administrative reporting standards

Multi-stakeholder coordination

Participants engaged in both theoretical instruction and practical simulations designed to mirror real-life match scenarios, reinforcing standardised professional protocols.

The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to harmonise operational standards and strengthen governance structures across the region.

By investing in the capacity building of match officials and administrators, CAF continues to enhance the credibility, efficiency and professionalism of competitions within WAFU Zone B and across the African continent.

For Akpenpuun — whose career spans match commissioning, federation protocol duties and diplomatic service — the programme marks another milestone as African football steadily professionalises its administrative architecture.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey 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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