The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) request to move the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final qualifying fixture, first leg encounter between Nigeria and South Africa by one hour.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications on Wednesday in Abuja, quoted Ruth David, NFF’s Director of Competitions as saying that the request was necessitated by the current hot climatic conditions in Abuja.
“Concerned by the hot climatic condition in the country at the moment, we wrote to CAF to move the kick-off from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the interest of the players.
“They have acceded to our request for the match to commence at 5 p.m. at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja,” David was quoted as saying.
The game is the opening leg of the fixture that will determine which of the two teams will be one of Africa’s two flagbearers at this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France.
It was initially scheduled to start at 4 p.m. on April 5.
The statement also said that the South African Football Association ( SAFA) have chosen the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria for the return leg on April 9.
It added that the encounter would commence at 7.30 p.m. South African time (6.30 p.m. Nigerian time).
