*By: Sunday Agunbiade Mr VAR*

Conspicuous absence of Nigerian referees in the ongoing African cup of Nations has been generating reactions from major stakeholders. The US based Nigerian born coach, Abdullahi Usman Biffo who lent his voice on the Nigerian Referees hiatus in the most glamorous Africa Football show said their exclusion is a bad omen to Nigerian football.

Biffo, who was a guest on the Nigerian leading WhatsApp group, *Sports World Platform* on Saturday stated this while featuring in Super Interview Session anchored by Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR) and Wale Oye on Saturday. Sharing his insights on why Nigerian arbiters appear not to be good enough for the show, the former Niger Tornadoes handler submitted that Nigerian referees need to upgrade themselves to modern technology drive. 

"I think there is need for improvement in anything we are doing in life. Omission of Nigerian Referees in AFCON is not a good omen for Nigeria".Nobody is happy about that as everybody in our country wants to see our own man handling one of the best games in the continent"

The erstwhile Kwara United tactician added that :It is a big lesson for Nigeria Referees Association ,NRA, to make a working monitoring activities to ensure they checkmate bad officiting in.our league as it gives us bad image in the continent.But however we should know that the selection made by CAF was based on their previous performances but now everybody believes that the league is better. I watch Nigeria league in my TV here and I see fair officiating compared to what we used to have before .We all believe the Rome is not built in a day and since they have started it, I believe they will continue with what they have started.

 The former Katsina United Coach assured that if they continue the way they are doing under this present administration, Nigerian Referees will mske the cut in 2025 AFCON. "I think we are going to see Nigerian referees handling one of the best games in AFCON if they continue this way . CAF has a way of selecting their referees, so, we might not know the basis for selection but we have to give our best to our league first before we are recognized by CAF. I am very sure the authority will do the needful to make sure Nigerians are not left out in 2025 AFCON"

"Nigerian referees need to improve themselves and work in line with modern day technology as obtainable in other climes.  Nigeria must not be left out in the next AFCON as nobody is happy about the sad development. We all want to be proud of our man handling the best games in the continent" . The UEFA B licensed tactician concluded