NFF, FIFA Strengthen Refereeing Development with Three Training Programmes

NFF, FIFA Strengthen Refereeing Development with Three Training Programmes

By Niyi Busari 

The 2026 FIFA Young Talent Referees Programme will conclude on Friday, June 12, in Abuja, paving the way for the commencement of the FIFA Member Association Elite Referees Course scheduled to begin on Monday, June 15, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Young Talent initiative is aimed at identifying and developing young individuals with a passion for football officiating. The programme commenced on June 8 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja and has run concurrently with a FIFA Beach Soccer Referees Course.

Coordinator of the programmes and Special Assistant to the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Ameenu, said FIFA had deployed five experienced technical and fitness instructors to Nigeria to oversee the various training sessions.

The team is led by former Zimbabwean FIFA referee and current FIFA technical instructor, Felix Tangawarima. Other instructors include Italian beach soccer technical instructor Michelle Conti, Ivorian fitness instructor Jeanne Ananh, Malawian fitness instructor Mark Nzengo, and Mozambican fitness instructor Bento Vanasse.

According to Ameenu, 54 young men and women are participating in the Young Talent Programme, while 65 referees are enrolled in the Beach Soccer Course.

“We have a total of 54 young men and women taking part in the Young Talent programme, and 65 in the Beach Soccer course. For the Elite Course, there are 50 referees who will arrive in Abuja on Sunday, June 14,” Ameenu said.

He added that the FIFA Elite Referees Course will run from June 15 to June 18, bringing together 50 selected referees for advanced technical and fitness training.

The trio of programmes underscores FIFA’s commitment to enhancing refereeing standards and developing officiating talent across its member associations, while providing Nigerian referees with opportunities to improve their skills under the guidance of internationally recognised instructors.