Sports

NRA Boss Praises League Referees

Published

11 years ago

June 13, 2014

President of the Nigeria
Referees Association (NRA), Ahmed Maude, has commended the association’s members on their improved performance in the ongoing 2013/2014 football season.
Maude told newsmen in Abuja that there had been widespread praises for the referees in the various tiers of Nigerian football league.
He said the referees had before now been under much criticism for various forms of irregularities when officiating matches.
“But, after so many years, our referees have performed remarkably well this season, considering the number of surprising results we have had in the various leagues.
“Many of the big clubs have fallen at home, especially in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
“For example, renowned Enyimba International FC of Aba were held to a 0-0 draw at home by relatively little-known Giwa FC of Jos in their Week 18 match.
“Hosts Sharks FC, who were on top of the league table, were beaten 3-1 by Nasarawa United in Port Harcourt.
“So, officiating this season has been commendable, compared to what we used to have when our referees were criticised throughout the season,’’ the NRA president said.
He however expressed optimism that Nigerian referees could perform better if provided with the enabling environment.
Maude said the improved performance of referees in the Nigeria National League (NNL) was a result of the increase in their remuneration before the start of the season.
“The referees in the NNL have also performed well and I think the reason for their improved performance was because their remuneration was improved upon just before the start of the season.
“And this has reflected in how they work now, because we now record a low number of protests from match venues as a result of referees’ officiating,’’ the NRA president said.
Maude, however, said the NRA was not resting on its oars in making Nigerian referees better than they were and become a force to reckon with on the global stage.
“We are not resting now, even as our referees have improved. This is because we believe we still have a long way to go.
“So, we want to carry out a mid-season fitness test for the referees, apart from the fitness test we do before the start of the season.
“However, we have had to reconsider it because of the Ramadan fast which is coming up.
“But now, we are thinking of getting communication gadgets for them to ease communication between them when carrying out their duties,’’ he said.

Sports

CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance

Published

13 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).

He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players will grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.

Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.

“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.

“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.

He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.

” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.

Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.

“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.

The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.

“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.

Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship

Published

13 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.

Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.

Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.

“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.

“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”

Sports

FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway

Published

13 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.

Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.

Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.

Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.