As part of the league board’s efforts to strengthen the Nigeria Premier Football League, league chairman, Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye, has announced that referees next season will begin using technology as an aid to officiating.
Sunday marked the conclusion of the 2023-24 season with Enugu Rangers winning the title for the ninth time by five points.
Throughout the season, umpire decisions were sometimes controversial, resulting in certain umpires being suspended or even banned.
Announcing the resumption of the 2024/25 season on August 31, Elegbelaye said the NPFL board was ready to improve the quality of refereeing in Nigeria’s top league.
“There is no perfect league anywhere in the world and we are still in the development stage. We will have equipment for the referees by next season,” Elegbeleye said through NPFL match commentator Sebastian Emmanuel.
The chairman also highlighted plans to strengthen the NPFL’s youth system.
“We will also be improving our youth programmes, having made sure that all clubs registered all their development squads as part of their club licence last season.
“We are pleased that many of them were part of the last Nigeria U-17 national team and we hope that the youth system will become a talent pool for the national team and top clubs next season.”
Meanwhile, the league’s chief operating officer, Davison Owumi, said the fixtures for next season have been finalised, adding that the return date would be approved by the general assemblies of each club.
“The pressure of events leading up to the start of next season is another pressure. The internal workings of the NPFL mean that it is already in place but the league board needs to convene a general meeting of Nigerian clubs to give their consent.”
“We have the fixtures and everything else in place, so that’s all that’s left to do. But we can’t say that because it needs to be approved by the general meeting of the club so we don’t take any premature action.”
