Sports
NFF Focuses on Revamping Domestic League, Emphasizes Referee Development
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has outlined bold measures undertaken by his administration to improve the country’s domestic league, with a particular focus on referee development.
Speaking on the federation’s achievements so far on the league, Gusau said, “We tried to come up with a policy to ensure we improve our domestic league. It took us time to address barriers that previously hindered proper organization.”
One of the key reforms has been addressing long-standing grievances among match officials, including delayed payments and inadequate training. Gusau emphasized the crucial role referees play in ensuring the league’s credibility and fairness, stating, “No matter how good your teams are, if the referees are not prepared to do the right thing, you end up frustrated.”
To address this, the NFF has introduced training programs and brought in fresh talent, with 12 referees under the age of 20 now officiating in the Premier League. Gusau praised their performance, noting that no complaints have been received about the young referees, adding, “We must encourage our young people because that’s the only way to solve the issues Nigerians are complaining about.”
The NFF is also determined to improve Nigeria’s representation at international tournaments. Gusau expressed disappointment that only one Nigerian referee made the list for the upcoming CHAN attributing it to a lack of preparation. However, he is optimistic that the introduction of talented young referees into the league will elevate Nigeria’s presence in global football officiating in the coming years.
Sports
Montage Community Football Tourney Registration Ends October 30
Cyril Ogar
Registration for the 2026 edition of the Montage Community Football Tournament will close on Friday, October 30, organisers have announced.
The tournament coordinator, Mr Raphael Ekpang, disclosed this on Thursday, urging interested teams across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take advantage of the remaining days to register.
Ekpang said registration had been ongoing since Monday, encouraging eligible teams to complete the process before the deadline.
The tournament, themed “Montage FM 99.7: Empowering Youth, Uniting Communities Through Football,” is scheduled to kick off on November 3, 2026, with playoffs across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
The grand finale will hold on December 5, 2026, at the Old Parade Ground, Garki Area 10, Abuja, where the top four teams will compete for first-, second- and third-place honours.
A total of 48 teams will participate in the competition, with eight teams representing each of the six Area Councils.
The participating teams will compete for cash prizes worth over ₦2 million and other valuable rewards.
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