Sports
Stakeholders Bemoan Edibi’s Dropping From World Cup
Stakeholders in the
Nigerian refereeing group yesterday expressed displeasure at the failure of Nigeria’s Peter Edibi to make the final list of referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Edibi was one of the prospective assistant referees listed earlier by the world football governing body.
The referees were listed to officiate at the upcoming World Cup finals in Brazil and had since 2012 been undergoing preparations through organised courses and the officiating of high-profile matches.
However, last Wednesday, the FIFA Referees Committee announced a list of 91 referees, made up of 25 referee trios and eight reserve duos, with Edibi missing from the list.
But, some Nigerian refereeing stakeholders said that they had been hopeful that Edibi would be listed so as to break the jinx of Nigeria not having a referee at the World Cup.
Ahmed Maude, President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), said he could not understand what was responsible for the“ last-minute disappointing news’’ from FIFA.
“I don’t know what actually happened, but maybe it has to do with the team of West African countries that qualified for the World Cup.
“It may be because there are more West African countries among the African teams at the World Cup. So, they might have decided to pick referees from other African regions different from West Africa.
“But, whatever the criteria were, it was very disappointing because we had all hoped that Nigerian referees will be represented at the 2014 World Cup for the first time,’’ Maude said.
Ms Jamila Buhari, the first Nigerian female referee, said Edibi has been doing well and could not have been dropped due to performance.
“I am shocked to my bone marrow and this has become a challenge to Nigerian referees.
“This is because we have all looked forward to breaking the jinx of Nigeria having no referee at the FIFA World Cup till date.
“We have all hoped that it was going to happen this year, because he has been doing very well.
“It is a devastating blow for Nigerian referees, and I cannot say precisely why he was dropped because he has been doing so well, even at the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) rated him among some of the best referees at the competition. So, it is bad news for the refereeing family,’’ she said.
Ameenu Mohammed, a referees instructor with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), said Edibi’s dropping was a loss to both the NFA and the NRA.
“It is very disappointing in the sense that we had thought we are going to break the jinx this year and have a Nigerian hoisting the country’s flag among officials at the World Cup.
“Although we feel bitter about it, but there is nothing we can do since FIFA has taken its decision.
“It is a loss to the NRA, NFA and to Nigerians entirely. But let us just consider it as the wish of God.
“However, sincerely speaking and by all standards, Edibi worked and struggled for it.
“He spent time, energy and resources to make sure he really prepared for it, and he worked within the specified standard by FIFA in terms of medical, technical and physical fitness,’’ Mohammed said.
He added however that his failure had now become a challenge for Nigerian referees to put in more effort than what Edibi did.
“Going by the records, no Nigerian referee has been at the World Cup, and this is a challenge to all other national referees from Nigeria to struggle further.
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Oyo State is set to return to the continental football spotlight as it prepares to host Nigeria’s Falconets in a crucial 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal’s Lioness of Teranga.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government said the state was selected for the fixture following its successful hosting of a previous Falconets’ qualifier, further underlining its growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
In a statement on Monday Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, confirmed that preparations were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free match. She said the choice of Oyo State as host was a reflection of confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure, organisational competence and security architecture.
She recalled the emphatic victory recorded by the Falconets against Rwanda at the same venue last year, describing the match as a testament to the state’s readiness to stage major sporting events.
“The successful hosting of the Falconets against Rwanda showcased Oyo State’s world-class facilities and our capacity to organise international fixtures that meet global standards,” Adegoke said. “The Lekan Salami Stadium has continued to serve as a fortress for our national teams, and we are confident the Falconets will once again make the nation proud.”
Adegoke also disclosed that the Falconets are expected to arrive in Ibadan today ahead of the qualifier, to allow ample time for acclimatisation and final preparations. She added that the team would enjoy full logistical support from the state throughout their stay.
The Falconets, who reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Japan 14 years ago, will go into the last round of the qualifying series if they win this encounter, to confront the winner of the Guinea-Bissau/Malawi fixture, for one of Africa’s four tickets at the final tournament.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland, from September 5 to 27, 2026.