The Falconets are due to represent Africa at next month’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada while the Super Falcons will campaign at the African Women’s Championship (AWC) in Windhoek, Namibia later in October as the draw holds on Saturday, July 19.
The 2014 AWC in Namibia doubles as qualifiers for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada as the three top sides will earn the automatic tickets to represent Africa at the quadrennial football showpiece.
However, FIFA had set aside yesterday as deadline for Nigeria to return the sacked elected NFF board or risk further sanctions that will see the women’s teams forfeit their places in their respective competitions.
Falode said it will be a disservice to the women’s teams and players to lose their places in the competitions on account of the avoidable face-off.
“I’m passionately appealing to the persons involved in the recent FIFA suspension of Nigeria from its activities to have a change of mind and save the careers of the women’s teams that are almost going under except something urgent is done to stave off the impending FIFA stiffer sanctions.
“I appeal especially the litigant, Mrs. Baribote, the sports minister, the National Sports Commission, other stakeholders to come back to the round table to discuss the way out of the impasse.
“The Falconets have up to Thursday, July 17 to confirm participation or they will be permanently out of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
“I’m aware South Africa is on standby to take over the Falconets spot should the face-off go unresolved by July 17.
“This will be inhumane and unfair as it will ruin their careers as well as nail their source of livelihood,” said Falode.
