Abuja, April 25, 2016 – Barely a year after a Nigerian referee officiated the final match of the African Beach Soccer Championship in Seychelles, another Nigerian referee raised the nation’s flag in flying colours on Sunday, as Paul Umuago officiated the final match of the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jelili Ogunmuyiwa was in the centre as Senegal and Madagascar battled in the final of the 2015 African Beach Soccer Championship in Mahe. On Sunday, Umuago took charge of the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations final match between Morocco and Egypt, which Morocco won 3-2.
Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande hailed Umuago’s feat and recalled that the referee was one of those who benefitted from capacity –enhancing programs undertaken by NFF President Amaju Pinnick while he was Chairman of the Delta State Football Association.
“The appointment of Umuago to referee the final match of the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations is further confirmation that Nigerian referees are now being taken serious by international football bodies. We have had a good number of our referees taking charge of national teams and clubs’ matches in the continent over the past year.
“Umuago also benefitted from the capacity –enhancing program of the NFF in the United Kingdom December 2014. Feats like those of Ogunmuyiwa and Umuago will inspire the NFF to do even more for our referees.”
Yahaya-Kwande noted that world football governing body, FIFA, impressed by the efforts of the present NFF administration towards improving the ability and capacity of Nigerian referees, has already approved a FIFA Member Associations Elite Course for Nigeria, to take place 16th – 20th May, this year.
