Chad withdrawal: Nigeria faces AFCON elimination

Following the withdrawal of Chad from the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers, Nigeria’s chances of picking the sole ticket in the group has suffered a huge setback.

With the 1-1 draw against the Pharaohs on Friday, Egypt leads Group G on seven points, two points ahead of second-placed Nigeria. Tanzania are third on four points.

But on account of Chad withdrawal, all their previous results will be nullified and as such Egypt will remain top on four points, Nigeria have two points and Tanzania on a point.

With the latest development, the Super Eagles are now condemned to win against Egypt in Alexandria on Tuesday to stand any chance of qualifying for the Gabon fiesta.

A win in Egypt will put Eagles close to Gabon after failing to qualify for the last AFCON in Equatorial Guinea, but a draw or loss will likely end Eagles ambition.

CAF in a statement on Sunday in conformity to article 61 of the regulations of the competition: “If a team withdraws from the qualifying phase organised in groups, all its results shall be annulled (points, scored and conceded goals). Nigeria defeated Chad 2-0 in their only victory of the series.

“Hence, the matches of Chad of the first three days of Group G matches are cancelled and their results will not be taken into consideration.”

Read also: Egypt holds Eagles to draw in Kaduna

Also at a CAF Executive Committee meeting in January 2015, it was agreed that any group reduced to three teams following a team withdrawal will only qualify the first team of that group.

Furthermore, in conformity to article 59 of the regulations of the Competition, CAF said:

“The Chadian Football Association is suspended for the upcoming edition of the AFCON and must pay the monetary fine of $20000.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation have stated that the Super Eagles have no other option but to win their remaining two AFCON qualifiers including Tuesday’s clash in Egypt to qualify for Gabon 2017 in the wake of the shock withdrawal of Chad.

“We don’t have an escape route than to win our remaining matches, then we will be home and dry, and this includes beating Egypt in Alexandria on Tuesday,” said NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire.

 

 

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