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Last Updated: 2005-05-12 07:41:04
By Emiko Bake (Online Editor) Email to a friend  |  Printable version

Coach slams referees over poor soccer development

For the umpteenth time, soccer coach, Godfrey Esu of Gabros FC, a Globacom Premier League side in Nigeria, has warned that bad the trend of officiating match in the league would bring a lot of grief to Nigerian ball fans and disrepute to the game in particular, if not checked.

Rising from his bench haunched after a 2-1 loss to NPA Seasiders FC of Lagos last weekend, Esu lashed out at the match officials, accusing them of unfair judgements and decisions during the encounter.   The coach in his usual characteristic, did not mince words: 

"They are kill joy; these referees.  They would brinjg this globally accepted beautiful game to shame and disrepute in Nigeria, if something drastic is not done now.  Things are getting worse by the season with the game in this part of the world whereas, the reverse is the case elsewhere.

"From where on earth did the penalty the centre referee awarded our opponents in that fate match come?  What was wrong with our equalizer against NPA?  There are many more questions than answers in our football play and administration...and under such a situation, things can hardly go right.

These and many more abnormalies, underscore the prernial hiccups we experience in the game in the country.  It's a shame ...a big shame," he cried.

1
Link  |  2005-05-14 22:40
ikwuchrist (yenagoa)
Coach Esu should take heart in the fact that he is not alone in this.Other coaches cry out week in week out about such happenings in away matches.But let me ask Godfrey Esu and other Nigerian coaches if they do not see the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob in this?
Is it not coaches and officials of home clubs that influence the referees?Can any of them swear that he has never taken part in influencing referees? It is only when they are at the receiving end that they realise the harm such behaviour is doing to the game of football in Nigeria. Whenever we are ready in this country to stop such things all of us (NFA,coaches, club administrators ,Fans etc) will put hands together to stop this cankerworm.
COACH GODFREY ESU, PLS TAKE HEART. YOUR TURN WILL COME WHENEVER U HAVE A HOME MATCH..CHIKINA.

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