FIFA U20 FEMALE WORLD CUP: NFF Suspends Invitation of Foreign-based Players

By Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has blocked the coaches of the national U20 female team, the Falconets from inviting professional players to camp in preparation for the FIFA U20 Female World Cup that holds in November in Papua New Guinea.

The order, THISDAY gathered from reliable in-house sources, was made by the NFF board in the light of the excruciating effect of lack of funds that has almost paralysed the running of the secretariat.

The federation kicked against the move by coach Peter Dedevbo for early camping of foreign based players, because it was wary of the huge cost to be incurred on flight tickets, camp allowances and accommodation of foreign based players.

Dedevbo submitted his programme to the technical committee in August and proposed that 36 home based players be invited to camp. However, the coach has been under pressure from the foreign based players to be invited to camp.

Since last year, NFF has been groaning to the severe effect of cash crunch arising from its inability to access its funds trapped in the Treasury Savings Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Officials have determined that it would amount to wastage by inviting the foreign based players to camp along the home based at this stage when the World Cup is just two months away.

The Falconets defeated South Africa to seal their place to the World Cup. The team which won silver at the 2014 event in Canada will be aiming to improve on that feat by becoming the first African team to win the competition.

Nigeria is drawn in Group B against Spain, Canada and Japan. They play their first game against Japan on November 13, before meeting Canada three days later also in Port Moresby.