FIFA LISTS EDIBE FOR 2014 WORLD, CUP

There was joy in Nigerian referees circles last week when world football governing body, FIFA, listed Nigerian referee Peter Edibe on the provisional list for the FIFA world cup 2014 matches in Brazil.

Chairman Referees Committee of the NFF Mr Suleiman Muazu said the inclusion of Edibe in the list is good news for Nigeria. Also speaking, Mr Linus Mba, FIFA referees instructor saw the listing of Edibe as the culmination of hard work adding that he will have to work hard to sustain the current rating.

From Lef: FIFA Instructor, Mr Poulson Jan Borge; Director of Competitions, Nff, Dr Sanusi Mohammed; Representative of Nff President, Mr Chris Green, and General-secretary, Nff, Mr Musa Amadu, at the Opening of Win in Africa with Africa Coaching Course in Abuja on Tuesday (8/5/12). Nan Photo

FIFA has listed 52 referees and 104 assistant referees in the provisional list from all over the world. 14  countries supply the 21 referees from Africa made up of seven world cup groups of three referees each.

Peter Edibe belongs to the first group that has Alioum Neant of Cameroun as referee and his compatriot Menkounde Evarist as first assistant, while Edibe is the second assistant.

Other referees include Bennet Daniel of South Africa, who heads Group two, to be assisted by Range Marwa of Kenya and Siwela Zachele of South Africa.

Haimoudi Djamel of Algeria is with Etchiali Abedlhak of Algeria and Achik Redouane of Morrocco. Also included are, Jeddidi Slim of Tunisia, Hassani Bechir of Tunisia and Hassan Bechir of Egypt.

Also on the list is the group made up of Doue Noumandie of Cote Divoire and his compatriot Yeo Songuifolo and Birumishahu Jean Claude of Burundi. Diatta Badara of Senegal leads Camara Djibril also of Senegal and Kabanda Felicien of Rwanda.

FIFA in picking the referees had an eye on age as only three were born in 1969 ( 43 years ) being the oldest in the group, just as two of them were born in 1982 making them just 30.

While congratulating the referees so selected, FIFA emphasized the need for them to be in top form ' ……physically, mentally and psychologically till such a time they will be declared approved for the competition proper.'

The referees will be assisted, supported and coached through the FIFA assisted referees programme till October when they will be required to arrive Zurich in ' Peak condition' for the final assessment on medical and physical requirements.