Referees should allow football development in Nigeria – Ex-coach

Godwin Izilein, an Ex-Coach of the Golden Eaglets, has advised referees to strive for improvement in the development of sports in the country.

Izilein, who also once coached the Super Falcons, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Benin.

He lamented about the poor level of officiating in the Nigeria football league, saying that if allowed to continue, it “will be inimical to the development of the round leather game in the country’’.

According to him, the level of officiating in the ongoing league calls for serious concern.

“The management of the league should urgently address it if Nigeria football must witness an appreciable level of development.’’

Izilein alleged that the referees behave like the whole systems belong to them and thus, “not giving room for the teams to express themselves on the field of play’’.

“The league and indeed Nigeria football needs the support of the men of the whistle,’’ he said, adding that the country would surely see the development of football if only the referees would allow it.

Izilein also criticised the attitude of the club owners who, he alleged, always want to win at all cost.

According to him, the win at all cost attitudes of club owners also does not allow for good football.

He said that coaches “are always jittery while the players are not playing well’’.

“It takes time to mould a player.

“The owners must stop breathing down on the neck of the coaches and they should allow players to freely express themselves on the field of play.

“The team owners must also prioritise the welfare of their players as well as that of the coaching crew,’’ he said.

The former coach also bemoaned the state of most pitches being used for the league.

“If you want the players to play like their counterparts in UK, Spain, Italy or French league, then improve on your pitches,’’ he said.