Nigerian Football
LINUS MBA – A GENIUS OF THE WHISTLE AT 80
BY PAUL BASSEY
I got this message. “Paulo please remember to pray for me on Monday 08 March, I will be 80. I will be attending a Thanksgiving Holy Mass. Unfortunately you will be in Warri.
This is quintessential Linus Mba. Humility personified, a man married to the whistle, the best Nigerian referee alive.
Eighty? Yes eighty and your expression changes because he does not look it. No, he does not.
However a brief peep at the compressed biography of this father of two forces one to believe that he has seen it all.
In an interview granted The Nation newspaper four years ago, he was referred to as a man with “naked enthusiasm and puritanical devotion.” Mr. Linus Mba epitomizes the best in Nigerian refereeing through hard work, devotion and uncanny love for the profession.
Born on March 08 1941 in Enugu, Mr. Linus Mba was introduced to the whistle at St. Theresa’s College Nsukka after Reverend Father William Butler “rescued” him from neglect by his colleagues who ostracized him for not being useful either as an outfield player or a goalkeeper.
“…He called me to his office and handed me the Laws of the Game and that launched my interest in refereeing right from secondary school.”
The young Linus then joined the Nigeria Referees Association Onitsha and continued his passion until he went in search of the golden fleece in London where he bagged B.Sc (Hon) Applied Economics and Diploma in Journalism at the Regent Polytechnic London, where he was also trained by the London Football Association (1969 – 1972) up to the semi professional cadre in 1976.
He returned to Nigeria in 1976 and till 1990 was assigned the best and the toughest of matches including two Challenge Cup finals – Abiola Babes Abeokuta versus Ranchers Bees Kaduna in 1987 and Shooting Stars Ibadan and Sharks of Port Harcourt in 1989.
By 1984, young Linus Mba was badged by FIFA and defended the badge till 1990 when he retired. It will be difficult attempting to chronicle the life and times of Mr. Linus Mba in a tribute, but we cannot fail to mention that he was a member of the Executive Board of the NFA from 1992 – 1996, Chairman Referees Committee 1992 – 1996, and represented Nigeria in the 1994 FIFA Congress in Chicago, USA.
He was a CAF referees instructor since 1996 and Member CAF Referees Committee from 2002 – 2012.
Mr. Mba has served as FIFA Referees Instructor from 2005 till date, appointed a FIFA Technical Adviser on Refereeing from 2008 till date, only two of them in Africa, the other being Neji Jouini of Tunisia.
The Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly referees’ magazine The Whistle, sees this as a pet project very close to his heart.
“…Since 2014, even during the period of the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown, we got the magazine going, geared towards constantly updating referees and assistant referees on evolving changes in modern refereeing…”
Circulated in over thirty African Member Association’s Referees Committees as well as to FIFA and CAF, the latest edition got rave revues from Mr. Amaju Pinnick, President of the NFF, his first Vice Barrister Akinwumi, Chairman of the Referees Committee Dr. Sharif Inuwa Ahlan, Secretary General NFF Dr. Mohammed Sausi, Chairman NRA Alhaji Tade Azeez among others.
CAF Referees’ Manager Eddy Maillet, FIFA referees member Anyan Lim Kee Chong and the Chairman CAF Referees Committee the Rwandan Celestin Ntugangira also penned commendation for the whistle magazine.
If you ask the father of two what he considers his greatest achievement, he will say “all achievements are great… but I cherish the progress we have made as a country. The quality of International referees, the training of Assessors to monitor referees instead of the traditional Match Commissioners, in brief the re-organization of the structure and machinery of technical development of refereeing in Nigeria.”
This reservoir of technical information and data on refereeing in Nigeria and by Nigerians at both national and international levels, prides himself as never receiving bribe in whatever form when he was active as a referee.
“No regrets. I walk tall. I never did. I may not have been popular for that but I thank God that my reputation is intact and I am happier today for it…”
A Central Bank of Nigeria research officer, journalist with Business Times, Public Relations Officer, later Export Manager Volkswagen Nigeria, this widely travelled icon remembers vividly his refereeing exploits in Africa, including the Africa Cup of Champions semi final tie between Zamalek of Egypt and FAR of Morocco in 1985.
What is the secret of longevity of this CAF/FIFA Assessor and Match Commissioner?
“Grace of God. Simple and straightforward life. Honesty and service to humanity. I keep my mind free of all stress and deceit…”
For yours truly a friendship spanning over 30 years, a celebration of professionalism, hard work and dedication. Today a legend of the whistle clocks 80 and is still counting.
By Kunle Solaja.
For the fourth time, the elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will be held in September. It is a pattern that evolved in Warri in 2014 when Amaju Pinnick was elected on 30 September.
Four years later in Katsina, another elective congress was held in Katsina on September 20. Four years ago in Benin, the 30 September election brought in Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
Another September fever is in the offing as the NFF will hold its next Elective Congress on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
The decision was ratified by the NFF Extraordinary General Assembly at its meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of resolutions aimed at setting the stage for the federation’s next leadership cycle.
The Elective Congress will determine the composition of the NFF Executive Committee, including the election of a president and other key officials to steer the affairs of Nigerian football for the next term.
By fixing both the date and venue several months in advance, the federation is expected to provide ample time for electoral preparations, including the nomination of candidates, screening processes and compliance with provisions of the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code.
The choice of Lafia underscores the NFF’s continued rotation of major football events across different parts of the country, while also aligning with efforts to ensure a transparent and orderly electoral process.
Further details regarding the election timetable and guidelines are expected to be released by the NFF Electoral Committee in the coming months.
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Nigerian Football
NFF Congress Approves Statutes Amendments, Electoral Committees Ahead of 2026 Elections
The Extraordinary General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved sweeping reforms to its governing framework, including amendments to its statutes and electoral processes, as preparations intensify for the federation’s 2026 elections.
At the meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Congress unanimously endorsed proposals from the NFF Executive Committee to amend the NFF Statutes (March 2026 Edition), the Electoral Code and the Standing Orders of the General Assembly.
In a major step toward the next electoral cycle, Congress also ratified the composition of both the NFF Electoral Committee and the Electoral Appeals Committee. The decision followed nominations by leaders of the country’s six geopolitical zones, with 12 individuals selected to serve across the two bodies.
Those appointed include Matthew Burkala (SAN) and Emmanuel Dada Obafemi (North Central); Alhaji Babagoni Grema and Barrister Benjamin Sak (North East); Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal (North West); Justice C.J. Aneke and Arinze Azubuike Anughere (South East); Akogun Olugbenga Omole and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi (South West); as well as Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie (Esq.) and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam (South South).
The members are scheduled to be inaugurated in Abuja on March 25, 2026, where they will constitute the two committees and elect their respective chairmen. In line with the Electoral Code, the Electoral Committee will comprise five full members and two alternates, while the Appeals Committee will have three full members and two alternates.
Congress further approved the appointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the new independent auditor of the federation for an initial four-year term, following what was described as a rigorous selection process involving seven firms. The Assembly commended outgoing auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for their nine years of service.
Looking ahead, the Congress fixed September 26, 2026, for the NFF Elective Congress, which will take place in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
In addition, members passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the NFF Executive Committee led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, praising its efforts in promoting and developing football across Nigeria.
The communiqué was drafted by a committee chaired by Mohammed Nasir Saidu, with Hajji Gafaar Liameed, Davidson Owumi, Yakubu Salma, Coach Ladan Bosso and Dr Ademola Olajire serving as members.
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Nigerian Football
NPFL Run-In Heats Up: Title Contenders Jostle for Top Three as Relegation Battle Turns Cut-Throat
By Kunle Solaja.
With just a handful of matches left in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, the race for continental places and the desperate fight for survival have reached a boiling point on Sunday, setting up a dramatic run-in across matchdays scheduled between March 23 and 29.
Remo Stars, hoping to avert the fate that befell Shooting Stars in 1999 by becoming the first Nigerian champion to be relegated the next season, braced up with a 3-1 defeat of fellow backwater swimmers, Kwara United, in Ikenne.
Bayelsa United were the only other defending champions to have gone down the following season after going down in the 2009/2010.
At the top of the table, Enugu Rangers have placed themselves in pole position with 54 points from 31 matches, but their grip on the summit remains far from secure.
Rivers United, just two points behind with a game in hand, are poised to mount a serious challenge, particularly with a crucial away fixture against fourth-placed Nasarawa United on Tuesday, March 23.
That clash in Lafia could significantly reshape the title picture. A win for Rivers United would not only take them to the top but also deal a major blow to Nasarawa’s ambitions of breaking into the top three.
Ikorodu City, currently third with 49 points, have quietly emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages. Their home tie against Warri Wolves on March 29 presents a golden opportunity to consolidate their position, especially with several direct rivals facing tricky fixtures.
Shooting Stars, Abia Warriors, and Bendel Insurance are all within touching distance of the top three, separated by just two points. The March 29 showdown between Shooting Stars and league leaders Enugu Rangers stands out as one of the defining matches of the run-in. A win for Shooting Stars could throw the title race wide open, while Rangers will be eager to assert their dominance.
Abia Warriors face a demanding schedule with two matches in quick succession—first against Niger Tornadoes on March 23, then away to Enyimba on March 29. Maximum points from these fixtures could catapult them firmly into continental contention.
Further down the table, the battle against relegation is even more intense, with as many as eight teams still in danger.
Kwara United and Kun Khalifat currently occupy the bottom two spots with 33 points each, and both face must-win situations. Kwara United’s home clash against Nasarawa United on March 29 could be pivotal, though they face a tough opponent chasing a top-three finish. Kun Khalifat, meanwhile, travel to Rivers United in what appears to be a daunting fixture against a title contender.
Just above them, Remo Stars, Wikki Tourists, Enyimba, and Bayelsa United are all locked between 36 and 37 points, separated by the slimmest of margins. Enyimba’s clash with Abia Warriors could prove decisive—not just for their survival hopes but also in shaping the continental race.
Bayelsa United’s encounter with Kano Pillars on March 29 is another high-stakes fixture, particularly as Pillars themselves are not entirely safe despite sitting on 39 points after a points deduction earlier in the season.
Niger Tornadoes and Wikki Tourists will face off in a classic relegation six-pointer on March 29, a match that could determine which side gains a crucial edge in the survival battle.
Even mid-table teams like Warri Wolves and Barau FC are not entirely free from danger, highlighting the unusually tight nature of this season’s NPFL.
As the fixtures unfold, the league is delicately balanced between ambition and anxiety—where every point could either secure continental football or confirm relegation.
The coming week, therefore, promises defining moments at both ends of the table, with the NPFL title race and relegation fight set to go down to the wire.
CLUB P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Enugu Rangers 31 15 9 7 38 21 17 54 2 Rivers United 30 14 10 6 28 19 9 52 3 Ikorodu City 31 13 10 8 29 23 6 49 4 Nasarawa United 30 13 8 9 27 24 3 47 5 Shooting Stars 31 14 5 12 32 34 -2 47 6 Abia Warriors 30 13 7 10 24 22 2 46 7 Bendel Insurance FC 31 11 12 8 36 28 8 45 8 Katsina United FC 31 11 9 11 28 29 -1 42 9 Plateau United FC 31 13 3 15 31 33 -2 42 10 El-Kanemi Warriors FC 31 12 6 13 27 34 -7 42 11 Barau FC 31 10 11 10 25 26 -1 41 12 Warri Wolves 31 10 10 11 28 29 -1 40 13 Niger Tornadoes FC 30 11 6 13 31 28 3 39 14 Kano Pillars (-3pts, -3 goals) 31 12 6 13 25 28 -3 39 15 Bayelsa United FC 31 9 10 12 26 32 -6 37 16 Enyimba FC 31 9 9 13 31 34 -3 36 17 Wikki Tourists FC 31 8 12 11 28 33 -5 36 18 Remo Stars FC 31 11 3 17 32 40 -8 36 19 Kwara United (-3pts, -3 goals) 31 9 9 13 22 29 -7 33 20 Kun Khalifat FC 31 8 9 14 28 36 -8 33
- March 23: Abia Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes
- March 23: Nasarawa vs Rivers United
- March 28: Bendel Insurance vs Plateau United
- March 28: Barau vs Katsina United
- March 29: Bayelsa United vs Kano Pillars
- March 29: Elkanemi Warriors vs Remo Stars
- March 29: Enyimba vs Abia Warriors
- March 29: Ikorodu City vs Warri Wolves
- March 29: Kwara United vs Nasarawa United
- March 29: Niger Tornadoes vs Wikki Tourists
- March 29: Rivers United vs Kun Khalifat
- March 29: Shooting Stars vs Enugu Rangers
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