In a rare and deeply moving moment, retired FIFA referee and veteran football administrator Mazi Linus Mba stood before a cheering crowd on Thursday night in Surulere, Lagos — not as an official in black, but as an icon finally being celebrated for a lifetime of service to the game he gave everything to.
It was the 5th edition of the prestigious Sportsville Awards, a night dedicated to honouring excellence in sports, but when Dr. Mba’s name was called, something shifted in the room. The applause didn’t just echo; it roared. The audience rose to their feet, giving him a standing ovation that seemed to stretch time — a collective thank-you for decades of unseen, underappreciated sacrifice.
Fighting back emotion, Dr. Mba took the stage and shared words that struck a chord with everyone present.
“This is the first award I’m receiving in almost 40 years of serving football as a referee,” he said, visibly moved. “I was beginning to think my contributions would only be recognised after I’m gone. That maybe someone would remember me with a posthumous award. But tonight, Sportsville changed that story.”
And what a story his life has been.
Introduced to football refereeing in 1957, Mba never set out to be a referee. In fact, he joked about his earlier football days, describing himself as a “goalkeeper who specialised in conceding no less than three goals on a good day.” Unable to thrive as a player, he found his true calling in officiating — a path he would walk with discipline, dignity, and uncommon devotion.
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Dr. Mba rose through the ranks to become a FIFA-badged referee, officiating high-stakes matches across Nigeria and Africa. After retirement, he didn’t just fade into the background. Instead, he became a guiding force — serving as a CAF Instructor, FIFA Instructor, and later, a FIFA Advisor, mentoring countless referees and helping shape the future of officiating on the continent.
Despite his towering legacy, accolades had somehow eluded him — until now.
For the former President of the Nigeria Referees Association, this recognition isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s a validation of every whistle blown in truth, every tough decision made under pressure, and every young referee he inspired along the way.
As the night drew to a close, the weight of the moment lingered. It wasn’t just about football anymore. It was about being seen. It was about gratitude. And most importantly, it was about reminding us all of the power of saying “thank you” before it’s too late.
In honouring Dr. Linus Mba, Sportsville didn’t just give an award — they gave a man his flowers while he could still smell them.
