Lagos, Jan. 31, 2024 (NAN): Kelechi Mejuobi, Deputy President, Nigeria (Football) Referees Association (NRA), says there is no cause for alarm over the absence of Nigerian referees at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Cote dāIvoire.
Mejuobi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
He said the selection of referees in football tournaments was the responsibility of international football bodies such as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).
āCAFās referee committee did not pick any referee from Nigeria, and it is not the duty of any Nigerian referee to take himself to AFCON.
āIt is the duty of the African football governing body to pick referees. So, the question goes back to CAF.
āIn a case where the Nigerian Football Federation did not submit names, that is when you can say Nigerian referees failed.
āIt is left for CAF, but what was their response? They said they needed the best but not good referees from Nigeria,ā he said.
He, however, noted that the participation of Nigerian referees in CAF/FIFA courses would increase their chances of officiating in international football tournaments.
He said officiating was in two categories: Elite A and Elite B.
āAs at the last Nations Cup, we had a Nigerian referee, and the one before that, we also had a Nigerian referee.
āWe have one referee who is in the Elite A grade, but he sustained an injury and is recovering; that was why he could not make it to AFCON,ā he said.
However, Dele Atoun, Lagos State Football Referees Council Secretary, said the referee international body would be holding its training in Egypt in March.
He said two Nigerian coaches would also be badged during the training.
āWe have one referee and an assistant female referee to be badged to the Elite B grade.
āIt takes a certain number of years, hard work, and training to be upgraded to the Elite A grade of referees,ā he said. (NAN)
