FIFA Elite Referees Course to Start in Abuja

The FIFA Young Talent (Referees) programme concluded with a closing ceremony on Friday, 12th June in Abuja. Concurrently, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prepared for the commencement of the FIFA Member Association’s Elite Referees Course, set to begin on Monday, 15th June 2026.
The Young Talent programme aimed to discover and nurture individuals passionate about refereeing from a young age. It was launched alongside the Beach Soccer Course on Monday, 8th June 2026, hosted at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Mr. Mohammed Ameenu, the coordinator of the three-in-one initiative and a retired referee, highlighted that FIFA had dispatched five esteemed technical and fitness instructors for this year’s courses in Nigeria. He revealed that Mr. Felix Tangawarima, a former FIFA referee from Zimbabwe and now a FIFA technical instructor, led the team. The group also included Mr. Michelle Conti (Italian, Beach Soccer technical instructor), Ms. Jeanne Ananh (Ivorian, fitness instructor), Mr. Mark Nzengo (Malawian, fitness instructor), and Mr. Bento Vanasse (Mozambican, fitness instructor).
Ameenu reported that 54 young men and women participated in the Young Talent programme, while 65 engaged in the Beach Soccer course, and 50 referees were set to arrive in Abuja for the Elite course on Sunday, 14th June. The Elite Referees course will take place from Monday, 15th June until Thursday, 18th June 2026.