TheCable

Twenty-nine Nigerian referees have been awarded the FIFA badges, the highest qualification in the profession.

According to NAN, the officials were decorated at the 2023 FIFA badging ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday.

Seven of the awardee are men’s centre referees while another seven are assistant referees of the same gender.

Four of them are women’s referees while three are women’s assistant referees.

Another batch of four officials includes beach soccer referees, including a quartet of futsal referees.

Speaking at the event, Ibrahim Gusau, president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), called on the referees to represent the country at international events with integrity.

Gusau, who was represented at the occasion by Sanusi Mohammed, NFF general secretary, described the officials as “Nigeria’s ambassadors” who should consider the image of the country when called upon to discharge their duties.

“They must ensure they do their jobs according to the laid down rules and represent Nigeria well because to whom much is given much is expected,” the NFF president said.

“We cannot afford not to have the best team representing us at continental championships.

“So, what we want is for the referees to be fair in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

Full list of badged referees:

FIFA referees: Ogabor Joseph; Nurudeen Abubakr; Quadri Adebimpe; Kassim Abdulsalam; Abdullahi Abubakar; Bashir Salihu; Grema Mohammed

FIFA assistant referees: Samuel Pwadutakam; Usman Abdulmajeed; Efosa Igudia Celestine; Hope Igho; Tejiri Digbori; Muhammed Yakubu; Tijjani Ahmad

FIFA beach soccer referees: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa; Fawole Olawale; Olayinka Olajide; Rabiu Ahmad

FIFA Futsal referees: Bello Zuru Alhassan; Musa Dung Davou; Paul Umuago; Uhah Ndubuisi

FIFA women referees: Ndidi Patience; Hannah Eliagwu; Olufunmilayo Alaba; Yemisi Akintoye

FIFA women assistant referees: Mfon Friday Akpan; Beauty Kabenda Terah; Abibat Yusuf.