The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly disqualified Congo from participating in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda this August. The decision follows allegations of rule violations during the qualifiers.
The Allegations
Congo’s disqualification stems from the use of an ineligible player, Mankou Nguembete Japhet Eloi, during their qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea. The controversy arose from claims that the player was on the books of Leones Vegetarianos, a club based in Equatorial Guinea. CHAN regulations stipulate that only players active in domestic leagues are eligible to participate.
Further complicating the situation, Congo reportedly failed to present valid national licenses for their players, a critical requirement for participating teams.
Reinstatement of Equatorial Guinea
As a result of Congo’s disqualification, Equatorial Guinea, who had been eliminated during the qualifiers, has been reinstated. They will now join Group D, which includes defending champions Senegal, Sudan, and Nigeria.
Sanctions Imposed
In addition to being disqualified, the Congolese Football Association has been slapped with a $10,000 fine, which must be paid to CAF within 60 days. This penalty underscores CAF’s strict enforcement of eligibility and compliance regulations for CHAN participants.
Broader Implications
Congo’s disqualification highlights the importance of adhering to CAF’s eligibility and procedural guidelines. It also serves as a warning to other federations about the consequences of non-compliance. For Equatorial Guinea, the reinstatement presents a renewed opportunity to compete on one of Africa’s biggest football stages.
As the tournament approaches, the focus will now shift to Group D, where Equatorial Guinea will look to make the most of their unexpected second chance while other teams remain vigilant about adhering to CAF regulations to avoid similar pitfalls.