The Chief Coach of Rangers International of Enugu, Okey Emordi, has labelled referees as the problem of Nigerian football.
Speaking shortly after his side conceded victory to Sunshine Stars inside the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State in a Week 14 Nigeria Premier League game, Emordi lamented that his side lost the match to biased officiating.
Emordi’s outburst came few days after an Executive member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Effiong Johnson, fired at the men with the whistle.
Emordi said after the match against Sunshine Stars: “How can we develop the game when referees have been compromised?
“The referee for today’s match, Sani Mohammed from Kaduna, was suspended for the better part of last season.
“Foreign based players have never been our problem rather it is the referees.
“How do we produce the best with this kind of officiating?”
Speaking further, the former handler of Enyimba International FC accused the referee of not only aiding Sunshine Stars to victory but on several occasions made questionable decisions.
The former African Coach of the Year cast a big doubt on the readiness of Akure side for the African Champions League.
“If Sunshine Stars could put up this performance, then the team is not ready for the Champions League. One would have expected a better performance from the team,” Emordi said.
Sunshine Stars, it is recalled halted the unbeaten run of Rangers with 2-0 victory on Sunday with goals from Godfrey Oboabona and Olorundare Dele, both in the second half of the encounter.