Chairman, Board of Nigeria National League (NNL) ,Mr George Aluo has commended Nigeria Referees Association, particularly those officiating in the second-tier league for the job well done.
Aluo made this disclosure while featuring in the popular online show tagged ‘Super Interview’ on the Nigeria leading WhatsApp group in Nigeria Sports World Platform on Monday.
The Lagos-based Football administrator clarified that, the officiating in the ‘Most Important League’ has been top notch since the start of the NNL season going by the statistics on the number of away victories recorded in the first stanza of the league.
In his words, he said, “If you look at the statistics on the number of victories recorded in the first stanza of the league, the number of draws that were recorded, you will clearly see that the officiating has improved, is not same of the same” Aluo stated.
The Imo born veteran journalist cum administrator, also noted that the officiating in NNL has been very poor before he came on board but the ongoing campaign is far above better, noting that clubs can acknowledge that officiating has been top notch with clubs now winning on the road with statistics on ground to back it up.
” Before now officiating in NNL has been very poor, we must give kudos to the referees. I think clubs can acknowledge the officiating has been top notch, clubs are winning on the road and we have statistics to back this up” He noted.
Aluo further cited that, the first stanza of the league recorded 47 away victories, given by 37% of the matches played, affirmed that it has never happened in Nigeria League . This is unprecedented going by the record of victories home and away in the history of NNL.
“After the first stanza, we had about 47 away victories and that gave us about 37% of the matches played, it has never happened in the history of NNL. You can check the records across boards not just NNL even in NPFL, the number of victories home and away is unprecedented in the history of the league” Aluo enthusiastically submitted.
The NNL league body boss, opined that the officiating has greatly improved, giving kudos to the referees for their job well done.
He however concluded that, in few cases where poor officiating occurred, erring officials were recommended to the referees committee of the NFF disciplinary actions.”
“So in the area of officiating, we cannot say that same of the same, it has greatly improved and I must give kudos to the referees for the job well done. Though few cases where they have been poor officiating, we have taken prompt action and make recommendations to the referees committee of the NFF for such referees to be sanctioned. Officiating has really improved and kudos must go to the referees in this direction” Aluo concluded.
Credit: Michael Odetunde
