Aisha Folade has said the commitment of Alhaji Rabiu Inuwa, Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation’s Referees Appointment Committee, to the development of the female leagues in the country is worthy of commendation.
Folade, chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) noted that the standard of referees appointed to officiate female leagues in the country has helped to complement the successes recorded in the 2021-22 season.
According to her statement on Tuesday, Inuwa’s contribution was greatly felt in the Super Six tourney held in Benin City where Bayelsa Queens lifted the trophy and promising football star, Monday Gift, emerged as the highest goalscorer. “He was committed to the further development of women’s football in Nigeria as he ensured that only the best sets of referees in the land were appointed to do all matches of the women’s league,”
Folade said. “The improved standard of play in the league was evident in the Super Six sponsored by Tulcan Energy Resources played in Benin City, as 90 per cent of Referees appointed for the crucial stage of the league were FIFA graded referees led by FIFA Women’s World Cup, CAF Nations Cup and Olympic Football referee, Ms Ndidi Kanu, from Enugu state,” She added.
Read Also: Lab scientists protest against colleague’s murder in Ebonyi
Folade reminisced on the successes recorded during the league season and believes the teams that qualified to represent the nation in WAFU B qualifiers and CAF Women’s Champions League will do better than the previous season.
She continued: “And it was the same scenario during the regular season of the league, this made us achieve a one hundred per cent top of the shelve performance worthy of emulation by other women’s football leagues across the continent.
“No doubt, we are hopeful that in this year’s WAFU B qualifiers and the CAF Women’s Champions League, the Nigerian representative, will do us proud in the 2022 edition compared to the country’s performance last year,” she envisaged.
Folade, however, remarked that Inuwa’s contribution to ensuring a high standard of officiating was achieved in the Super Six tourney never went unnoticed as it spurred the NWFL to present a meritorious award to him at the final in Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo State.
