The coordinator of Nigerian women's teams, Aisha Falode has appealed to the persons involved in the ongoing face-off between Fifa and Nigeria to sheath their swords for the sake of the women's teams due to represent the country at the globe.
The Falconets are due to represent Africa at next month's Fifa Under-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 has set aside Tuesday, July 15 deadline for Nigeria to restate 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're permanently out of the Fifa Under-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.
"The Falconets engaged in one of the toughest qualifiers, scored the highest number of goals and as we speak I'm certain they're prepared to showcase their skills and bring honour to the country.
"This nation owes the team the privilege and no effort should be spared to deny it to them.
"The Super Falcons, too, may equally forfeit their place at the African Women's Championship in Namibia except men of goodwill put the careers of the players at the front banner and act right to avert further Fifa hammers.
"The AWC in Namibia is a qualifier for the 2015 Fifa Women's World Cup, if Nigeria missed the AWC draw on Saturday in Windhoek, Namibia because of the Fifa suspension they would have missed participation at the World Cup.
"These are grave calamities which I strongly believe it's within our hands to avert," said the Caf media committee member to supersport.com.
The world football body's deadline ends on Tuesday for Nigeria to reinstate the sacked Aminu Maigari-led NFF board and avoid further sanctions.
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