AFCON 2023, where were they? Benin Arsenal coach rips into NPFL refs after Sporting loss

Izuchukwu Akawor 15:26 - 19 February 2024

Bendel Insurance manager Monday Odigie was anything but happy with the officiating against Sporting Lagos.

Monday Odigie is blowing hot and not holding back on Nigerian referees after his Benin Arsenal lost to Sporting Lagos in the NPFL.

Things are heating up in the Nigerian Premier Football League, NPFL, and Bendel Insurance manager Monday Odigie isn't holding back on his thoughts after a tough loss to Sporting Lagos.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that coach Odigie was left furious by the referees during a narrow 1-0 defeat to the NPFL newbies on Sunday.

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In a post-match interview with Pulse Sports Nigeria, Odigie, didn't mince words when dissecting his team's defeat.

"The game was lost to the goal that you saw, go and play it back," he declared, pointing out a pivotal moment in the second half that shifted the momentum. "That's where we lost it. You saw it and that brought about the loss of concentration (from my team). "

Monday Odigie was not happy with the standard of officiating against Sporting Lagos.

But the Benin Arsenal boss didn't stop there. He went on to express his frustration with the level of officiating in the game against Sporting at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

"How can in Lagos, this is happening - officiating - and nobody is talking? Nobody is talking?" he questioned incredulously, highlighting what he saw as a glaring issue in the game.

Sporting Lagos match-winner, Michael Tobechukwu. (Photo Credit: Sporting Lagos/X)

With a tone of disdain, Odigie raised the question of Nigerian referees' absence during the AFCON 2023 tournament. "AFCON (2023), where were Nigerian referees?" he queried, hinting at a larger systemic problem within the Nigerian football league.

Despite Benin Arsenal's disappointment, credit must be given where it's due. Sporting Lagos secured a hard-fought victory, thanks to a stunning free-kick from Tobechukwu in the second half.

Monday Odigie speaking to Pulse Sports after the match. (Photo Credit: Agentduwem)

It was a moment of brilliance that sealed the deal for the Lagos-based team, who dominated the encounter, created the better chances and rattled the post, propelling them to their second consecutive win.