Sports
NNL Super Four: Warriors Blame Loss On Bad Officiating
Coach Emeka Ezeugo of
Abia Warriors FC has said bad officiating caused his team’s 5-6 loss to Giwa FC in the final of the 2013 NNL Super Four Competition.
The final match of the competition organised by the Nigeria National League (NNL) was decided with penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes of play.
Peter Onyekachi had given the Abia side the lead in the 23rd minute, before Ocheme Edo of Giwa FC levelled the score in the 75th minute.
The match was played at the FIFA Goal Project pitch of the Abuja National Stadium.
However, during the penalty shootout, the referee had ordered the replay of one of the penalty kicks by Abia Warriors, with the Umuahia-based side losing the kick.
At the end of it all, an angry Ezeugo told newsmen that bad officiating was the reason why Nigerian referees were not among their peers.
He said Nigerian referees were not appointed to officiate in FIFA competitions like their African counterparts because of incompetence.
“I don’t want to say anything about match officials in Nigeria, because the result is evident in the number of our referees that officiate in FIFA competitions.
“How many Nigerian referees officiate in FIFA games? The reasons are that they are not good enough, and that is why they don’t get called up for FIFA Grade ‘A’ competitions.
“They mess themselves up in the country here, and so they cannot officiate outside the shores of this country,’’ the former Super Eagles player said.
Ezeugo however commended his players’ efforts, as compared to their semi-final performance.
“They played a little better than they did in the first match, although they still need some fine-tuning ahead of the 2013/2014 season,’’ he said.
The coach however said the club would have to return to the drawing board for a better pre-season preparation.
“We need that, so as to justify our promotion into the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL),’’ he said.
On his part, coach Abdullahi Biffo of the Jos-based Giwa FC said his players’determination won the game for them.
“I told them before the beginning of this match that no matter what the result is, they should not be discouraged.
“And this is why they were able to come back into the game to equalise and eventually win the match,’’ Biffo said.
Also, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye who witnessed the final match, commended the players for the quality of play.
“I am happy with the quality of play since the competition started yesterday (Wednesday). Eventually, the best team has won.
“They displayed very good football, which is a plus for the Nigerian league, and we are looking forward to a better league next year,’’ Elegbeleye said.
Godfrey Gaiya, the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Sports, advised the organisers to make the competition more attractive in subsequent seasons.
“They should make this competition more attractive, by taking it to where fans are willing to come out and spend a token to support good football.
“When we make it an Abuja affair, we may not be able to showcase what we have seen today to the majority of Nigerians who may not be nearby.
“So, my advice is that they should rotate between cities and really market it well, so that supporters from all background will come in,’’ Gaiya said.
Sikiru Kamaru of Giwa FC won the competition’s Most Valuable Player award, while Giwa FC received a cash prize of N300,000 and a trophy for emerging champions.
In the third-place match played earlier in the day, FC Taraba beat Crown FC of Ogbomoso 2-0.
The four teams in the 2013 NNL Super Four Competition have been promoted to the 2013/2014 NPFL season.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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