WAFU-B kicks off refereeing evolution with youth focused CAF training initiative
In a strategic shift toward long term development, the West African Football Union Zone B has turned its focus to grooming the next generation of match officials with the launch of its first young referees training programme of the year.
The course, held at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence, marks a deliberate effort to strengthen officiating quality across the region an area widely regarded as crucial to football’s credibility and growth.
Rather than addressing issues at the top, WAFU-B is investing in emerging referees from its member nations, equipping them with the tools needed to meet modern football’s demands.
The initiative, backed by the Confederation of African Football, blends classroom learning with real-game scenarios to ensure a well rounded development process.
Participants are undergoing intensive sessions that cover updated interpretations of the Laws of the Game, fitness conditioning, and match simulations designed to mirror high pressure situations.
The goal is to produce confident, consistent officials capable of handling both regional and continental assignments.
Football administrators present at the opening ceremony highlighted that improving refereeing standards is not optional but essential, especially as the game in West Africa continues to grow in competitiveness and global visibility.
With mentorship from CAF certified instructors, the programme is also creating a pathway for these young referees to transition smoothly into elite officiating roles.
Upon completion, standout participants are expected to take up responsibilities in upcoming WAFU-B tournaments, signaling a new wave of officiating talent ready to shape the future of the game in the sub-region.
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