The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, yesterday said it has given approval for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup second round, first leg qualifier between Guinea and the Flamingoes of Nigeria to be shifted by one week.
According to the NFF, the Federation Guinean de Football (FGC) had pleaded with it for postponement of the match which was scheduled for this weekend in Conakry.
FGF’s reason is that the set date of Saturday’s 29th February coincides with the Guinean legislative election, and it would not be auspicious to host such an important game that same day.
Consequently, the NFF said it had sent a letter of no objection and accepted the new date of Saturday, March 7 set by the Federation of Guinean de Football.
By implication, there would be only one week in-between the first leg and the return leg slated for the Agege township stadium in Lagos.
However, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, still has to give a stamp of approval, as a formality.
Following the new arrangement, the Flamingos who were earlier scheduled to fly out of the country to Conakry on Thursday, 27th February, will continue their technical and tactical sessions under the watchful eyes of first assistant coach Bankole Olowookere and the technical team. They will now travel on Thursday, 5th March.
The Flamingos, quarter finalists at the 2010, 2012 and 2014 FIFA U17 World Cup finals, missed the last edition of the competition hosted by Uruguay but have vowed to return at the seventh edition billed for India later this year.
To be eligible to face the Flamingoes, Guinea ousted neighbours Guinea Bissau after two legs in the first round of the qualifying race.
