NWFL: How Poor officiating ruined Niaja Ratels VS Heartland Queens match – Soccer Prophet

An Abuja based sports journalist Prince Larry popularly known as sports prophet has lamented the level of unprofessionalism, bias and unfair officiating that has marred the Nigerian football with his most recent experience of the NWFL match between Naija Ratels vs Heartland Queens.

The ace journalist lamented this during a radio program in Abuja and was monitored by our correspondent.

He pointed out the high level of unprofessionalism and bias by the officiating referee in the match against Naija Ratels vs Heartland Queens at the Aguiyi Ironsi stadium Abuja.

He made a long list of wrong calls which was aimed at favouring the home team which he deemed as unfair to the visiting team Heartland Queens which by all indications where the better side.

“I was in Abuja at the time and decided to go see the game against Naija Ratels and Heartland Queens live since i was less busy and also see if i can get content for my blog.

I arrived the stadium late obviously because i got to the venue towards the end of the first half, so i can tell you Authoritatively my observations without fear or favour.

The officiating was so biased and i can tell you for free that the referee was unprofessional or she needs to go back to class. This syndrome of home advantage has to be eradicated from football because it kills the joy of the game.

Oh yes i have heard of some fantastic players from Heartland Queens like Lucky Mary, Onyedikachi Ekezie and the goalie chukwu Uchenna of former Nasarawa Amazons. I came to scout them.

But you see, the center ref wouldn’t let the game flow. She kept cutting out the visitors play, trying to favour the home team.
She went as fars eliminating the major threat of the home team which is Lucky by giving her a second yellow for what i clearly saw as a 50/50 challenge.

It was never a card offense, so why was she issued a second yellow. Even the first yellow I wasn’t there but i was sure wouldn’t be worth it from my observations.

Infact at some point the center referee lost control of that game because she recorded casualty in the game. The Heartland Queens skipper sustained a serious head injury which prevented her from continuing the game but guess what, that infringement on her was not even given as a freekick or card.

She also made a lot of wrong calls, but the AR on the side of the audience was very professional with her officiating, all her calls was authentic.

The second AR had series of wrong calls i observed too, while the 4th official was busy at war with the fans who where lamenting about one situation or another. The match was a fiasco of chaos and hostility.

In a nutshell, the result of that match was determined by the officials which was quite unfair to the unfavoured party but i give it to the visitors Heartland Queens, for them it was a fight to the finish for them even with a man down.” He siad.

He further advised the NRA to fish out this culprits and joy killers and suspend them from referring activities or better still send them back to training before handing them the whistle again.

“ I don’t think the women folks are ready for this big challenge of officiating the NWFL matches. NWFL is now a big brand and shouldn’t be messed with.

I think the male officials should be drafted in untill the women folks are ready for this task. Some of the biased ones should be fished out and sent back to training. The level of unprofessionalism and bias is alarming. The NRA needs to do something about this bad eggs that are given the body bad name.
Obviously i came to watch some good display of football by the female gender more especially Lucky and then she was sent off for no cogent reason. “ soccer prophet concluded.

The match against Naija Ratels vs Heartland Queens ended in a barren draw.