The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Misa Gusau, has announced plans to implement Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Gusau shared this development at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu while speaking to journalists following the opening match of the season between defending champions Rangers International and Wikki Tourists.
Acknowledging the complexities of operating VAR, Gusau emphasized the importance of having qualified and trained personnel to manage the technology effectively. He reassured that the federation’s priority is to ensure thorough training and retraining of officials to guarantee efficient and accurate use of VAR.
Looking ahead to the 2024/25 season, Gusau promised significant improvements in the league, including the introduction of communication gadgets for referees. These devices will allow referees and their assistants to communicate seamlessly during matches, eliminating the need for close proximity during consultations.
"We are committed to elevating the league to international standards," Gusau stated. "The introduction of VAR is on the horizon, but our focus right now is on training the personnel who will operate it, to avoid any errors. Starting next week, you’ll see referees using communication gadgets, enabling them to communicate with each other without needing to consult up close."
