Abuja –  The First Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi, on Tuesday in Abuja said Nigerians would soon be seeing more improvement in the domestic league.
Akinwunmi gave the assurance while briefing newsmen on the progress the Federation had made so far on the domestic league competitions in Nigeria.
He said the progress had emphasised why both the NFF and the League Management Company (LMC) needed to work together to achieve the same target and develop the league.
“The reason why the league some years ago did not go back to where it should be was because there was no cordial relationship between the league and the NFF.
“They were like parallel bodies. But football in Nigeria belongs to the NFF, and the league depends on the NFF, whether they like it or not. So, we are one family.
“The chairman of the league body depends on the board of the NFF, and we will ensure that we bring that family back together so that the league can grow.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country’s league bodies are under the supervision of NFF’s Organising Committee, with the league bodies four in number.
These are the Nigeria Football Professional League (NFPL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Nation-Wide League (NNWL) and Nigeria Women League.
Akinwunmi however noted that since the establishment of the Professional League in 1990, domestic leagues have never recorded the level of improvement and success being experienced this season.
The NFF Executive Committee member said this was because of the current synergy between the Federation and the affiliate league bodies, as well as programmes the NFF put in place.
“We have always expected these wonderful results because of the training programme for referees and assessors in the UK and series of seminars organised in Nigeria by the Federation.’’
He said NFF was however not going to condone indiscipline in order not to jeopardise wat it has put in place.
Akinwunmi said the NFF Disciplinary Committee would always take actions against referees who performed below standard.
“In Match Day 9, the Wikki Tourists versus Lobi Stars fixture was officiated by referee Ahmed Zaria of Kaduna State and he performed below standard, and he has been dropped automatically to the lower league.
“In Match Day 11, the El-Kanemi Warriors versus FC Taraba FC fixture was officiated by referee Magi Mohammed of Niger), but he has now been dropped from Centre Referee to an Assistant referee because of poor performance.
“Similarly in Match Day 12, the Kano Pillars versus Giwa FC fixture saw Mohammed Sule of Adamawa being warned for the last time to improve on his mobility and physical fitness,’’ he said.
Akinwunmi however appreciated FIFA and CAF for finding Nigerian referees and other officials worthy of officiating some of their various matches.
He said most Nigerian referees were worthy of being appointed for international matches.