Felix Agwu is upset with refereeing standards in Africa

Enyimba chairman Felix Agwu has hit out at the standard of African referees after he saw his side lose 3-2 to Al Hilal in Sudan in the African Champions League.

The Nigerian side had a man sent off and conceded a controversial penalty in the Group B game on Friday in Omdurman.

After the game Agwu felt his side were unlucky with the decisions and said: "That's why African referees can't go forward.

"The referees were meant to come from South Africa, I don't know why they changed them (the officials eventually came from Egypt).

"When you have referees with the same kind of background it normally shows.

"I don't want to criticise the referee but everyone saw his calls some of which were uncalled for."

Agwu believes that the standard of officiating needs to be addressed ahead of South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup.

"This is not good for African football; we are having the World Cup in 2010 - they should live up to expectations," Agwu urged.

"We need to see more Africans officiating at the World Cup but how can they do that when they perform like this and the whole world can see? It's a shame."

Enyimba's next Champions League game is at home to Coton Sport of Cameroon on 3 August.