Tremendous Eagles goalkeepers, Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye, could quickly want to regulate their recreation because the Worldwide Soccer Affiliation Board (IFAB) considers stricter measures to curb time-wasting in soccer, Soccernet.ng reviews.
In response to The Occasions Sport, IFAB is exploring a countdown rule to implement faster ball releases by goalkeepers. Beneath the proposed system, referees would sign with a raised hand to start out a countdown timer.
Goalkeepers failing to launch the ball inside the designated timeframe may see their groups penalised with a nook awarded to the opposition.
This potential rule change is designed to handle the long-standing concern of goalkeepers holding onto the ball for prolonged intervals, typically disrupting the stream of play.
Though FIFA’s present rules already impose a six-second restrict for ball possession by goalkeepers, inconsistent enforcement has led IFAB to contemplate extra definitive measures.
For Nwabali who just lately made related act throughout Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers away conflict towards Rwanda in Kigali and different goalkeepers, adapting to the proposed rule may require refining their distribution methods to keep away from expensive penalties.
Though that is the most recent report and has not but been accredited, IFAB is predicted to make a ultimate resolution on the proposal within the coming months.