Mali Football Federation (FMF) has concurred with their Nigerian counterpart’s proposal for a rescheduling of a qualifying fixture for the Women’s Football Tournament of the 2016 Olympic Games.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has now moved forward, by two weeks, a second round of qualifier between both countries’ senior women’s national teams for the 2016 Rio Games following an agreement between both parties.
Assistant Director (Communications) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, in a statement on Friday, disclosed that the Super Falcons were scheduled to host the Malians on May 23 with the return leg billed for Bamako on May 30.
He said the NFF had earlier notified the continental body about tight schedule in their build up to the 2015 Fifa World Cup in Canada and in consequence had proposed a shift.
“We had to write to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and the Malian Federation to consider bringing the matches forward by two weeks in order for our teams to be able to head to Canada by May 19, the statement quoted NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu as saying. “Our team will be going for the final training camp for the 7th Fifa Women’s World Cup finals.
It concluded: “Caf had given the go-ahead for the NFF to contact the Malian Federation for both National Associations to agree between themselves. In its reply, dated 13th February, General Secretary Yacouba Traore said the Mali Football Federation had agreed in principle.”
The development means the first leg match will now take place in Nigeria on May 9, with the return leg in Bamako on May 16.
