The Lagos State Football Association chairman Ogbenni Fuad Alade Oki has congratulated the quartet of Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Yemisi Akintoye, Olayinka Olajide & Hope Igho among other referees listed by  FIFA in its International Referees list for 2024.

In a message conveyed to the Nigeria Football Federation, the world football governing body FIFA has approved a total number of 30 Nigerian referees to be placed on the international lists for the year 2024, among them 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, four beach soccer referees and four futsal referees.

Commending the three referees for their diligence and outstanding performances which has placed them on global recognition by FIFA, the Lagos FA supremo also harped praise on Lagos State Football Referees Council for producing top grade referees for the football community.

“Let me congratulate and celebrate Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Yemisi Akintoye, Olayinka Olajide and Hope Igho for making the exalted list of referees listed by FIFA for match officials for the 2024 FIFA Refereeing International Lists" Fuad said. 

“These are referees who have maintained a high level of discipline and impeccable character while discharging their duties over the years. I strongly believe they possess the quality and are more than capable of handling the high intensity required to officiate at the global stage.

Fuad further described the inclusion of  30 Nigerian referees by FIFA to officiate in different capacities in 2024 football matches as testament to the success of excellent job done by the referees bodies in the country.

“I would like to also congratulate the Lagos State Football Referees Council and the Nigeria Referees Association at large for their tremendous efforts for producing top-level referees who are competent enough to compete at the highest levels. 

“Nigeria is blessed with outstanding personnel across the spectrum of sports and other walks of life and the beauty of it is that there is reward for excellent performance. This should serve as a rallying point for other referees to up their game too”.