President of the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, Otunba Tade Azeez has asked premier league referees taking part in the NPFL to as a matter of necessity show that the recently concluded first quarter fitness test organised for the FIFA and Premier League was no fluke by exhibiting excellent performances in the remaining games.
It would be recalled that the National Stadium, Abuja pitch on 12th and 13th of April felt the presence of premier league referees for the first quarter test meant to gauge their physical fitness level for the first quarter of the year in line with Confederation of Africa Football, CAF for elite referees of a Federation.
The President, Otunba Tade Azeez said that a combination of accepted fitness level and knowledge of the Laws of the Game are part of the required ingredients referees need is to be fair and firm during matches. He therefore enjoined the referees to discharge their duties without fear or favour.
Former National Training Officer of the NRA, Dr Agba G Agba whose son, Samuel Agba of the Cross River State Council will be at the centre of the game between Niger Tornadoes of Minna vs Wikki Tourist will assess the performance of Haruna Shuaibu of Kogi State Council, FIFA Peter Ogwu and Emmanuel Udoh of Bauchi and Akwa Ibom state councils respectively on the lines for the top of the bill cracker in Akure; Sunshine Stars vs Rangers International. A policeman, Hindan Solomon is the fourth official.
In the Lagos encounter involving MFM and Lobi, one of the best hands and old war horse in the local scene, FIFA Paul Umuago of the Delta State council shall be the whistle man receiving assistants from the lines where another high riding FIFA referee, Isa Usman of Katsina and Enugu’s Eze Edwin hold sway.
Another FIFA referee from Lagos council will be in charge of the Akwa Utd vs Kano Pillars game in Uyo. He will be assisted by Mohammed Alhaji of Kogi and Francis O of Bauchi.
