Akwa Starlets coach, Emmanuel King has attributed his side's success story in the ongoing 2013 Federation Cup to the balanced officiating so far exhibited by the referees.
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The Nigeria National League (NNL) side on Wednesday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar defeated NNL Division B leaders, Abia Warriors 2-0 to book passage to the quarterfinals against last year's runners-up, Lobi Stars.
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The Uyo-based side had early shown the way out to Glo Premier League sides like Kwara United and Dolphins from the annual football fiesta.
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King said his wards are wholly rookies but the referees have made it possible for them to display their raw talents to the fullest unlike the scenario that plays out in the league.
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"The performance of the referees in the Federation Cup has given me hope that the referees could perform excellently even in the league if they wanted to do so.
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"The same side that are excelling in the Federation Cup are not able to repeat the feat in the league due to questionable officiating therein.
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"We haven't seen very good officiating in the league as it's the case in the ongoing Federation Cup not that I'm in the quarterfinals but it's an open secret any unbiased person could readily attest to.
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"Officiating has been balanced nothing to such inducement or intimidation of any kind, I think officiating has been wonderful and that explains why my players who are 99% local players are doing very well among established and seasoned players.
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"Aside fair officiating hard work and hunger to excel among the entire team have been contributory to the team's success story so far in the Federation Cup," said the Akwa Starlets gaffer to supersport.com. King said his side are not troubled facing Glo Premier League side, Lobi Stars in the quarterfinals of the yearly football fiesta.
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"Our mentality and approach to matches are devoid of complex and timidity but to focus on the brighter side of the game which is to win.
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"We're not intimidated by the high profile of Lobi Stars, our ambition is to win so we won't have problem handling the side.
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"There appears a light at the end of the dark tunnel, we won't give up hope until we reach the light and I'm positive that my rookies will cause more upset en route to playing in the final as well as winning the title for the first time," he enthused.
Refereeing is not dope yet in Nigeria so we really need to improve on that. English refs are still the best in the whole wide world.