One of Nigeria’s respected referees Festus Okubule, 80, yesterday died in Lagos hospital after a brief illness.
According to her daughter, Sola Taiwo, the foremost referee breathed his last breath at about 5:50 pm yesterday and he would be missed by his family and relations.
Okubule a.k.a Show Boy would forever remain a reference in the history of Nigerian football for more than four decades, he officiated several domestic matches, as well international matches across the length and breadth of Africa.
The former President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) in his last interview with NationSport during his 79th birthday relieved some of his memorable moments.
The former CAF and FIFA Instructor said: “I joined the referee for some purposes and among them was to project the image of this great country and my family which I have succeeded in doing. Wherever I go and I see the Nigerian flag, I feel so proud; and I won’t start the match if I don’t see the Nigerian flag.”