Sports
S’Eagles Coach Expresses Concern Over VAR
Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Joseph Yobo has expressed concerns that in its current form, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) could drain the excitement from football.
VAR is yet to hit full swing in Africa, although it has been introduced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Refereeing system was employed in the final of last season’s CAF Champions League, but it ended in controversy.
It debuted in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after the approval by CAF’s executive Council, but the qualifying campaign of the 2021 AFCON and 2022 World Cup qualifiers will not depend on the Refereeing system.
According to Yobo, there has been marginal success recorded with the use of VAR.
He argues that the introduction of the system is necessary in football, but expressed concerns with the time it takes to make a decision with VAR.
The recently appointed Eagles assistant Coach told brila.net that VAR risked denying footballer and the fans what excitement comes with celebrating big moments during games.
“VAR is good for the game, but like everything in life, it has its flip side.”
“I think one of the biggest concerns and for me particularly is the fact that it takes soo long to decide a situation with VAR. Football is exciting because of the spontaneity and action on the go.
“VAR is draining denying the fans that value; players can’t even celebrate after scoring, because you’re not even sure,” said Yobo.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.
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