Fast-growing female referee, Yemisi Eunice Akintoye, has shot her thoughts back in time to recall how she transformed into an arbiter after initially trying out as an active footballer, Sports247 reports.

Akintoye, who recently hit international limelight as the centre referee for this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) semi-final clash between Algeria and Malawi, revealed that it all began for her as a student at the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

The amiable ref made this revelation while speaking during the ‘Hot Seat’ segment of Sports247’s television programme, ‘Inside Naija Sports,’ which streams online via YouTube and airs every Saturday at 12 pm on NTA News 24.

READ ALSO: Yemisi Akintoye Opens Up on Her WAFCON Breakthrough | Sports247 Nigeria

She started by thanking everyone who gave her a resounding reception at the airport on the day she returned from Morocco, where she was a centre referee in two WAFCON 2026 matches as well as fourth official in three.

Akintoye gleefully retorted, “I would like to use this opportunity to give kudos to my very close friend and FIFA ref, Hope Igho. He was the one who organised a very big welcome back home reception for me.

“I was not expecting anything like that, and it was a very pleasant surprise for me. Although he earlier called me and said he would be at the airport to pick me up, he never told me he would be there with a crowd.

“So, I really appreciate him for that, and I told him so immediately I saw them. In fact, it was a very warm welcome, which I don’t think has ever happened like that in Nigeria. So, I appreciate his effort very well.”

The graduate of Human Kinetics from the University of Lagos and founder of Female Young Girls Bootcamp (FYGB) project then went back in time with details of her advent into refereeing, because it was a course she had to pass at the NIS.

“It all began when I was a student at NIS, before I went to the University of Lagos. I was actually initially a footballer, and I even played in the Nigerian Women’s Football League, NWFL.

“I started with Taiwo FC, then went to Jagunmolu Babes and later Little Queens in Ibadan. I then went to NIS because my dad is someone who likes education, and he encouraged me to study.

“He insisted that I should return to school, and I felt I could train to be a coach, because I wanted to remain in the game. As it would happen, during my NIS days, there was a course called officiating.

“I knew about playing football, but I did not know anything about officiating. It was a four or six-unit course, and I just had to pass it before I could graduate.

“I was shocked when I went online to check the laws of the game and saw over 200 rules of football. This surprised me, and I felt it was too much for me. I felt that I needed a referee who would explain the laws to me.

“I eventually went to the office of the Lagos State Referees Council, where I met the secretary, Mr Sonibare. I told him I needed someone to help me with the laws of the game because I wanted to make Grade A in the course.

“He was the one who suggested that I should become a referee so that I could understand more about officiating. I was initially reluctant, but I later joined them, mostly because I wanted to pass the exam,” Akintoye admitted.

The FIFA-badge referee, who is also the CEO of Mitsy Photography Studio, concluded by revealing the difficulties she went through in the early days of her switch from playing football and seeking a career in coaching, especially as she had to combine three busy ventures at the same time.

“I eventually got the A Grade that I wanted in the course, but I also realised that I really enjoyed the period that I spent with them. I found it very interesting and I decided to continue with them.

“After graduating from NIS, I went into active refereeing, but I soon found out that it’s a long process for you to advance in it. It was really tough for me while I was still a student at UNILAG.

“I was also working at that time. I did not want to drop my job at Grange in Ikoyi, but it was not easy at all. I had three big things that I was working hard to combine and shuffle, but I kept going – and see where God has brought me up to,” Akintoye enthused.

The post Yemisi Akintoye Goes Back In Time: How I Switched From Playing Football To Become A Referee appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Chairman of the second-tier Nigerian National League (NNL), Chief George Aluo has reeled out three salient values that all eight newly promoted clubs must adhere to when they compete in the lower division this season.

Sports247 gathered that the values – which Aluo stated ahead of the NNL’s annual general meeting billed for this Friday in Owerri – are sanity, discipline and good behaviour, which the former editor stressed must be observed by all teams before, during and after every match.

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Aluo’s declaration was revealed in a press release signed by the NNL’s media officer, Amar Ignis, who also disclosed that all eight new teams in the division will be formally welcomed during their 17th AGM this Friday in the Imo State capital.

Ignis added that the NNL has officially revealed identities of the eight newcomers that were promoted from the third-tier Nationwide League One (NLO) and they will be officially introduced during the Congress, which will also feature a formal presentation of the league’s 2025/2026 audited accounts.

According to the NNL’s secretariat, the eight promoted clubs include Dekkal Khairu FC of Osun State, Mighty Jets Feeders of Plateau State, Neurospark FC of Abuja and DMD FC of Borno State.

Others are Right-2-Win FC of Abia State, OYC FC of Delta State, Junior Danburan FC of Katsina State and Ikorodu City FA of Lagos State.

Speaking ahead of the AGM, Aluo said: “It is a delight to have the promoted teams join the NNL fold from the NLO. We hope they will abide by the tenets of the league, which promote sanity, good discipline and good behaviour. They will be formally inducted at the Annual General Meeting in Owerri. They are most welcome.”

Sports247 gathered further that the NNL’s AGM will hold at Rockview Hotel, near Government House, Owerri, with several key matters already tabled for deliberation among all 34 clubs with the administrators, among which are transparency and accountability, as well as preparations for the 2026/2027 NNL season.

The post NNL Chairman George Aluo Lists Three Values Which All Newly Promoted Clubs Must Adhere To During Forthcoming Season appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

The 2026 NWFL Nationwide Competition got off to a spectacular start in Aba, Abia State, with four opening-day fixtures producing 24 goals as the participating clubs began their quest for promotion to the 2027 NWFL Championship.

Sports247 reports that there were no draws across the four groups, with every opening-day fixture producing a winner.

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The biggest result came in Group B, where hosts C2E Sports Academy delivered a stunning attacking display to thrash Bayelsa Princesses FC 10-1.

C2E raced into an early lead through Ohuche Agnes in the second minute before Nwaboghogu Oluchi scored twice in the 28th and 30th minutes. Temple Glory added another before half-time, with C2E continuing their dominance after the break.

Ohuche completed a remarkable individual performance with further goals in the 48th, 52nd and 62nd minutes, while Ngozi Miracle and Ogu Stella, who scored twice, completed the ten-goal rout. Amameniye Naomi scored a consolation for Bayelsa Princesses in the 81st minute.

In Group A, Solo Wonders Babes FC secured a 2-1 victory over Spunky Blazers FA, with Ndiribe Chinenye scoring twice inside the opening 18 minutes. Spunky Blazers responded through Enabulele Mercy in the 54th minute but could not find an equaliser.

Onimarg FC also started their Group C campaign with a 3-1 victory over NAF Queens. Yusuf Islamiat struck twice in the opening 22 minutes before Ogunlari Adewunmi added a late third. NAF Queens’ only goal came through an own goal by Olufisayo Daleborah.

The most dramatic contest came in Group D, where Obosa Queens edged Plateau United Queens 3-2.

Obosa built a three-goal advantage through Nnachi Chinemerem, Oprah Emmanuel and Aliu Rofia, before Plateau United Queens mounted a late comeback through Okoloko Juliet, who scored twice. Obosa’s Oliwo Towin was sent off in the 86th minute after receiving a second yellow card.

With 24 goals from four matches, the NWFL Nationwide has delivered an explosive opening day.

The promotion race is officially underway, and if Matchday 1 is anything to go by, Aba could be set for a thrilling competition.

The post NWFL Nationwide: C2E Fire 10 Past Bayelsa as Aba Opening Day Produces 24 Goals appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.