President of the National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA), Mr. Godwin Enakhena, has given high marks to match officials officiating at the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 tournament, scoring their performance at an impressive 90%.

 

Enakhena, who also serves as Chairman of Sporting Lagos FC, made the remarks while assessing the quality of officiating at the promotion playoff tournament, praising the referees for maintaining professionalism and contributing to the high standard of play seen so far.

 

“Having watched some of the matches and seen how the referees handled them, there’s no denying the fact that the officials are doing a great job and deserve commendation,” he said. “I’ll score them 90%.”

 

He attributed the success of the refereeing crew to deliberate efforts by NNL leadership, particularly Chairman George Aluo, in selecting top-performing officials.

 

“The NNL Chairman told me before the play-offs began that they had invited referees who had previously been recognized with monthly awards for excellence. Their quality has clearly manifested in the Super 8. Their professional handling of games has helped deliver quality football that reinforces the NNL’s status as the most important league in the country,” he stated.

 

While acknowledging that no officiating is ever completely perfect, Enakhena emphasized that human error is a natural part of the game and should not overshadow the overall quality of work done by the officials.

 

“Some teams may have complaints—that’s expected when stakes are high and everyone wants to get promoted. But sometimes, when results don’t go their way, they start looking for excuses or scapegoats,” he noted.

 

On the relationship between NALCOMA and the NNL leadership, Enakhena described it as strong and mutually beneficial. He praised NNL Chairman George Aluo for fostering inclusiveness and collaboration in decision-making processes.

 

“When I was elected NALCOMA President last year in Bauchi, I pledged to work for the interests of all 36 NNL clubs. I also committed to working harmoniously with the league’s leadership—and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” he said. “George Aluo carries me along in everything he does. That partnership is key to building a strong league.”

 

Enakhena also extended his gratitude to Delta State for hosting the tournament, particularly acknowledging the Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Onoriode Joshua Oborevwori, for his support and hospitality.

 

The NNL Super 8, taking place in Asaba, continues to draw attention as clubs compete fiercely for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.