The match officials from Nigeria who have returned from CAF Confederation Cup match in Lybia have been deployed to handle the opening game of the 2021/2022 Premier League.
Recall that only last week, a University of Calabar lecturer and Fifa referee of the Cross River State council, Joseph Ogabor led FIFA Assistant Referees; Celestine Egudia and Mimisen Iyorhe of Edo and Benue Councils respectively, to Tripoli,Lybia where Ahly battled visiting Malians Stade Malien. After the game in Lybia, the referees are back to officiate the first match to domestic scene for 2021/2022 season; MFM vs Remo Stars at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Though, the Assistant referee 2, Mimisen Iyorhe has been changed, she is replaced by another Fifa referee, Tejiri Digbori from Delta, while the Fourth Official is Imo based Franklin Aguguesi.
The Refereeing team is under the supervision of Sir (Engr) Emma Imiere (FIFA rtd), who is the chief technical instructor as Assessor.
President of the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, Otunba Tade Azeez had tasked referees to experiment on the field of play what they were taught in the classroom . He asked the match officials to maintain fair and firm officiating
