South Africa has started lobbying world football governing
body, FIFA, to be picked as replacement for the Falconets at the Canada 2014
Women U-20 World Cup, which kicks off on August 5.
Nigeria is currently suspended from all FIFA activities
following the crisis in the administration of the game in the country, Guardian
reports.
A Jos High Court recently barred the leadership of the
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from administering the game in the country,
pending the determination of a suit filed by Nembe United proprietress, Mrs.
Baribote.
Following the ruling by the court, the Sports Minister, Dr.
Tammy Danagogo, swiftly appointed an interim management committee to run the
federation, but FIFA said the action amounts to government interference on football
matters.
The football governing body suspended Nigeria from all its
activities until the restoration of the status quo.
Since then, the South African Football Association (SAFA)
has been lobbying to take advantage of Nigeria’s suspension to field a team at
the Canada 2014 Women Under-20 tourney.
SAFA President, Danny Jordaan, was at the FIFA office in Rio
de Janeiro on Wednesday in continuation of his bid to get his country in Canada
in place of Nigeria.
A source close to FIFA told The Guardian yesterday that
Jordaan, ‘‘impressed on FIFA his country’s readiness to present a team to
replace Nigeria as Africa’s representative, saying his country has a standing
team that can compete successfully.
Although FIFA President, Joseph Blatter and Secretary General,
Jerome Valcke, did not say whether they would grant South Africa’s request or
not, there is the determination of the body to teach Nigeria a lesson once and
for all.
Daily Times
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