Sports
Jaja Accuses Clubs Of Bribery
Former referees Chief Dr. Sam Sam Jaja has hit back at club officials, accusing them of bribing referees and only crying wolf when they get out-bribed.
In the last few weeks, Nigerian referees have come under relentless attack from club officials.
Nigeria Football Federation, NFF executive committee member Effiong Johnson fired the first high profile salvo when he accused referees of inciting violence with their ‘incompetence’.
Rangers coach, Okey Emordi added his voice last weekend, describing them as ‘kill joys’ after watching his side’s unbeaten run halted at Sunshine Stars.
Dolphins also had cause to pitch in after getting two players sent off in Wednesday’s 0-1 reverse at Enyimba.
But Jaja, former President of the NRA, was having none of it, and pointed the finger right back at the administrators, claiming they induce match officials “Most coaches and club managers are guilty of bribing referees to obtain favours and that is why away wins are very rare in our league even when the away team deserves to win.
“So when you hear some of them complain, it is just a case of this one bribing more than the other just as you have this politician rigging more than the other. If the coaches desist from inducing the referees, then all will be well with the league.”
Jaja added that as additional insurance, clubs employ the services of thugs to intimidate match officials: “The referees are human beings and they are bound to fear for their lives.”
Outside of bribery and intimidation, Jaja suggests frequent training for match officials.
“In England, the FA brings the referees together for two weeks and gets seasoned referee instructors and even psychologists to update their skills through physical, mental and psychological exercises.
“Unfortunately, what happens this way is bringing together coaches for a day or two prior to the commencement of the season. This is obviously never enough to impart into them changing trends in the sport.”
Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”
Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”