A new twist to the 2017 Afcon qualification tale sees Nigeria staring elimination as Chad have pulled out owing to financial restraints.
Chad sit at the bottom of Group G with no point from three defeats to Egypt, Nigeria and Tanzania, and according to CAF rules and regulations, their results will be nullified.
Les Sao pulls out of Afcon 2017. Image: Goal
Les Sao, who bowed to Tanzania on Wednesday, were billed to face the Taifa Stars for the return leg in Dar es Salaam before the shocking decision.
“As part of our participation in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for Gabon 2017 and particularly the return match against Tanzania, we bring to your attention that our national team has failed to make it to the return leg game in Dar el Salaam scheduled for March 28,” said Moctar Mahamoud, secretary general of Chad Football Association.
“Indeed, our country has been affected by the global economic conditions and because of this, our participation in various competitions has taken a serious blow due to financial constraints.”
“We wish you all the best and we apologise for this situation which is basically independent of our will.”
With this, Egypt now have four points, Nigeria in second with two point while Tanzania have one point.
Accordingly, following the decision of Caf Executive Committee dated 15 January 2015, any group reduced to three teams following the withdrawal of a team will have only the group winner qualifying for the final tournament.
Also, the Chadian Football Federation has been fined 20,000 US Dollars and also barred from participating in the next edition of the AFCON in conformity with Article 59 of the regulations of the Competition.
No comments:
Post a Comment