The Nigerian football community was, again, thrown into mourning yesterday with the news of the death of the president of the Nigeria Football Referees Association (NFRA), Alhaji Sani Zubairu, after a brief illness.

The Bauchi-born retired FIFA referee was elected president of the association during the 2023 delegates conference held at Bovina Hotels in Kwara State on April 29, 2023.
His death comes a few weeks after the demise of former Super Eagles Captain, Henry Nwosu and ex-national team coach, Adegboye Onigbinde.

Zubairu, a former FIFA referee, was also the Head of Refereeing Unit of the NFF and Secretary of its Referees Committee.

Reacting to Zubairu’s death, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, described the late referee as “a very diligent and astute worker. Subordinates, colleagues and superiors all loved him for his simplicity and uncommon humility.

“He served Nigeria meritoriously on the field and in the office, working assiduously to impact knowledge and raise new generations of referees that would make Nigeria proud at home and internationally. The NFF and Nigerian football will miss him greatly. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant his immediate family, friends, relations, the NFF family and the NFRA the fortitude to bear the big loss.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye, also commiserated with Zubairu’s immediate family, the Nigeria Football Referees Association (NRA) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the late NFRA president’s demise.
Elegbeleye said the contributions of the former referee to the development of the league are a legacy to active and aspiring referees.