FIFA-Badged Nigerian Referee To Officiate At U-20 Tourney In Turkey

Nigeria’s FIFA-badged referee, Peter Edibi, is elated at the decision of FIFA to invite him and 68 other referees for the male U-20 World Cup.

The competition has been scheduled for Turkey from June 21 – July 13.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group B with Cuba, Korea Republic and Portugal and will kick-off its first match on June 21 against Cuba at the Kadir Has Stadium, Kayseri.

Edibi expressed his delight at the honour by FIFA in an interview on Friday at Ikom, Cross River.

The list, made up of 19 referees and 50 assistant referees, three of the referees were from Africa. Edibi is one of the six assistant referees from the continent.

The referee from Cross River also expressed delight at the reward of land and money showered on him by Gov. Liyel Imoke when he received members of the Super Eagles team after they won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Edibi was one of the assistant referees and the only Nigerian that officiated at the continental soccer showpiece in South Africa.

“I am quite elated. The invitation has also helped in wiping off tears from my eyes because it came shortly after the death of my father,’’ he said.

According to Edibi, the appointment by FIFA and the reward by the Imoke administration will spur me to perform better.

“I see myself as Nigeria’s Ambassador in the game. Nigerians and the people of Cross River should not expect anything short of good representation.

Edibi has now logged four AFCON tournaments — Ghana (2008), Angola (2010), Equatorial Guinea (2012) and South Africa (2013).

NAN