NIGERIA Premier Football League (NPFL) Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has reviewed the 2024/2025 season and praised the referees for their performances, while calling for a sustenance of the improvement in the new campaign.
“I’ve travelled around the world and witnessed some shocking officiating decisions—something you hardly see in the NPFL,” Elegbeleye said during an interactive session with journalists.
“That’s why I can confidently say our referees are among the best globally.”
The NPFL boss attributed the marked improvements in the performance of the referees as a reason those appointed to continental competitions discharged their duties with high marks which has in turn opened more opportunities for their colleagues.
Elegbeleye cited the last U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, noting: “At the U-20 AFCON Egypt, a Nigerian referee was involved, and another has been shortlisted for the upcoming WAFCON. This shows clear progress.”
While admitting that there was still more work to do in perfecting the system, Elegbeleye was of the opinion that continued support for training and retraining is required to sustain the gains attained so far.
He invited the media to assist in highlighting the positive performances of individual referees while also shining the light on irregularities that will keep the league on the growth trajectory.