The future of refereeing in West Africa received a major boost as 32 promising officials successfully completed the prestigious WAFU B Young Talent Referees Seminar in Ghana.
The Nigerian quartet, comprising Ali Ramadan Akanbi, Yusuf Gbemisola Solihat, Mohammed Mamanga, and Ikeobi Scholastica, joined 28 other young referees from across the West African Football Union Zone B for an intensive five day development program aimed at shaping the next generation of match officials in the region.
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A Promising Journey Begins in Accra
The Nigerian delegates arrived through the Kotoka International Airport after departing from Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Friday. Their journey marked the beginning of a rigorous and enlightening experience designed to test both their physical and mental readiness for top level officiating.
Barely 24 hours after arrival, the referees faced their first major hurdle, a demanding fitness test. Demonstrating exceptional preparation and discipline, all four Nigerians passed with flying colours, immediately signaling their readiness to compete at a higher level.
Inside the Seminar in Prampram
The seminar, which ran from March 21 to March 25, 2026, was held at the Technical Centre in Prampram. A total of 32 participants from WAFU B nations took part in the program, creating a competitive yet collaborative environment for learning and growth.
The initiative is built around the philosophy of catching refereeing talent young and nurturing them with modern techniques required in today’s fast evolving game.
Key Lessons for the Next Generation
Throughout the seminar, participants were exposed to a wide range of critical officiating concepts. These included positioning and movement, reading the game effectively, understanding team tactics, tactical decision making, and overall match management.
The sessions combined classroom learning with practical exercises, ensuring that each referee gained both theoretical knowledge and on field application.
Expert Guidance from a Renowned Instructor
Leading the course was experienced instructor Yeo Songuifolo from Côte d’Ivoire, whose wealth of knowledge and international exposure provided valuable insights to the young officials. His mentorship played a crucial role in shaping the participants’ understanding of modern refereeing standards.
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A Step Forward for Nigerian Refereeing
For Nigeria, the successful participation of Ramadan, Gbemisola, Mamanga, and Scholastica represents more than just completion of a course. It reflects a growing commitment to developing quality referees capable of handling high pressure matches across Africa and beyond.
As West African football continues to rise in competitiveness and global relevance, initiatives like the WAFU B Young Talent Referees Seminar are essential in ensuring that officiating standards keep pace with the game’s evolution.
With this experience under their belts, the Nigerian quartet now returns home better equipped, more confident, and ready to take on bigger responsibilities on the pitch.
