Lagos — Continental football governing body, CAF, yesterday threw its weight behind NFA Chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima when it sougrht clarification from him over the face off between the acting Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Fanny Amun and Alhaja Ayo Omidiran over the control of the nation's junior female team the Falconets.

The continental body was dragged into the lingering crisis when the former Golden Eaglets coach wrote Cairo last Friday seeking a venue change for this weekend's FIFA U-19 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Kenya from Ijebu-Ode to Abeokuta.

He also gave the impression that it was his team that was the legitimate squad to tackle the East Africans this Saturday.

But yesterday CAF, clearly taking a cue from the world governing body, which had last month endorsed Galadima as FA chairman, sought for clarification from Galadima as to the true position of the soccer house.

Galadima immediately wrote back to CAF asking them to disregard Amun's letter insisting that Omidiran not only had the FA's backing but that the match would still hold at the newly built Ijebu-Ode Stadium.

Confirming the development, Galadima said he had received a letter from CAF scribe Mustapha Fahmy, which he had replied to as regards the situation concerning the U-19 national female team.

"Yes, it is true that I received a letter from CAF. They had wanted to know what was the FA's position as regards the Falconets. I have replied and told them that Omidiran was in charge and that the venue remains Ijebu-Ode."

Galadima, who said he learnt that Amun's 'Falconets' were also in Ijebu-Ode, appealed to both parties not to allow their differences affect the chance of the nation to qualify for the junior World Cup.

"I would like to appeal to Amun not to do anything that would jeopardise the performance of the team on Saturday. I heard that his (Amun) players are in Ijebu-Ode and I hope that this would allow the country present a strong team," said Galadima.

Amun, ironically made acting FA scribe by Galadima when former secretary general Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi was forced to resign early last year, has been the arrowhead of the Ministry's attempt to rubbish the December 29th election, which returned Galadima as Chairman.

Beyond recently asking the Chairman to resign and unilaterally appointing national team coaches, Amun has now switched his attention to battling for the control of the junior female team insisting that Omidiran has not right to the Falconets.

"She has no right to organise such a camp. We have a crucial game coming up and she is planning to embarrass the country in the eyes of the world.

"I've given her until Friday to disband the team and tender an apology letter to the NFA secretariat," Amun told BBC Sports last week.

His utterances came in spite of the fact that Omidiran was officially asked to take charge of the team by Amun's boss - Sports Minister Dr. Seidu Sambawa.

"I'm simply following directives from the people above Mr Amun in the sports ministry and I owe him no explanation.

"The ministry is financing this team and that will be clear for all to see in the next few days," Omidiran was to tell the BBC.

Meanwhile, Falconets Team Manager Omidiran has given the reasons why the U-19 team opted to play its World Cup qualifier against Kenya at the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu Ode.

Omidiran said the team opted for the venue as a mark of honour for President Olusegun Obasanjo who hails from Ogun State.

According to her it was the President that intervened by ensuring the team's participation at the last U-19 World Cup in Thailand last year because the team almost missed participation at the maiden female age grade World Cup because there was no budget provision for the team.

The team reached the quarter final before losing to Germany on penalties.

"We could have missed the last World Cup in Thailand as we were told there was no budget for the team. But the President came to the aid of the team by facilitating the release of money. It is for this reason that we have resolved to play our games in his home state," Omidiran explained.

She also posited that sentiment apart the newly commissioned Gateway Stadium is an impressive facility which though located in a town not known for football traditions it is one of the best stadiums in the country.

" It is a wonderful stadium. I think we have made the right decision in picking our home ground because the players have fallen in love with Ijebu Ode since we arrived here," Omidiran said.

Ijebu Ode is one of the venues that will host the national Sports Festival, which will hold in Ogun State from April 6.