Sports
AWCON: Falcons now to face Eq. Guinea as CAF reviews ban, dismisses Kenya
The Super Falcons of Nigeria will now play against Equatorial Guinea instead of Kenya in the group stages of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON).
This was as the Appeal Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) upheld Equatorial Guinea FA’s appeal after their spot in the tournament was revoked following a protest that their player, Annette Jacky Messomo, who featured during the qualifier against Kenya was ineligible to play.
Kenya had been admitted into the finals after CAF’s Disciplinary Committee barred Equatorial Guinea from the competition, and they were drawn in Group B alongside Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia.
“The appeal lodged by the Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol is admissible,” reads a statement issued by CAF’s appeals board.
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“The decision no 001-CAI08.09.2018 is overruled.
“The player Annette Jacky Messomo is eligible to play for the National Team of Equatorial Guinea.
“The National Team of Equatorial Guinea is reintegrated in the Total African Women’s Cup of Nations 2018.”
However, the Kenyan soccer federation says it will appeal the decision
In the competition billed to kick off in Ghana on November 17, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will begin their title defence against South Africa on November 18, before taking on Zambia on the 18th, then Equatorial Guinea on the 24th day of the month.
Meanwhile, the tournament also serves as the qualifiers for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup billed to hold in France in June.
The best three teams – the winners, the first and second runners up – will represent the continent at the mundial.
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