NAN-S-4
Praise
Abeokuta, March 19, 2017 (NAN) Gateway FC of Abeokuta has commended the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nigerian Referees Association (NRA) for the high performance of its officials during the Week 1 of the 2016/2017 season.
The club played its first NNL encounter away to Nnewi United at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba on Saturday.
The club’s Media Officer, Mr Rotimi Oduniyi, said in a statement on Sunday in Abeokuta that the performance of the match officials, especially the referees showed that “new Sheriffs are in town’’.
The statement said the NNL provided a level playing ground for both the home and away teams right from the pre-match meeting.
Oduniyi said the development gave both teams the confidence of putting in their best knowing full well that no team was favoured to win.
“The performance of the Referee, Osifo Mark from Edo and Assistant Referee, Umoh John was commendable as they were not only fair and firm but withstood all pressures from the home crowd to give the right decisions,’’ it said.
The statement also praised the NRA led by Tade Aziz for keeping to its assurance of free and fair officiating during the NNL season and urged referees to keep up with the pledge.
The hosts, Nnewi United lost 0-1 to Gateway United with striker Peter Emmanuel scoring in the 94th minute. (NAN)
YAF/OSA/PDE
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(Edited by Shittu Obassa/Peter Ejiofor)