Mutiu Adepoju Lauds NPFL’s Officiating

Kunle Adewale

Former Shooting Stars General Manager, Mutiu Adepoju has hailed officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, so far, saying there has been great improvement by the men at the centre when compared to what was witnessed in times past.

“What we’ve witnessed from the referees so far has been an improvement to what was obtainable in the past. The win at home at all cost syndrome is fast disappearing from our league.

“Teams can now confidently win away which was not something that was usual in the NPFL. The number of away wins that were recorded at the beginning of the season was unprecedented, which also brings competitiveness to the league,” Adepoju said.

The former Nigeria international however is of the opinion that the officiating is perfect, just as he expressed that there is still room for improvement.

“I’m not saying the officiating has been perfect because there is always room for improvement. Even in European leagues where the referees are armed with all the gadgets, there are still errors. The good thing the managers of the league, the Interim Management Company, IMC has done is not sparing referees that fell short of expectations,” the player who was fondly called headmaster in his playing days expressed.

Adepoju opined that in spite of the fact that this season’s league is abridged it has lived beyond the expectations of most followers, saying with the second round which just kicked off has heightened the competition for the Super-Six qualification.

The former Real Sociedad player is very optimistic that by the time the league returns to its original format of 20 teams next season, more improvement and competitiveness would be witnessed.