2018 AWCON: Equatorial Guinea disqualified

Equatorial Guinea have been disqualified from the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations by the disciplinary committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for fielding a Cameroonian player during the qualifiers.

The decision came as a result of a complaint filed by Kenya who were the last team defeated by Equatorial Guinea in the qualifiers.

CAF opened an investigation to ascertain the nationality of Annette Jacky Messomo who participated in the qualifiers with the Nzalang Nacional, concluding that she is from Cameroon and thus ineligible to don Equatoguinean colours.

Therefore, in a letter to the FKF CAF’s disciplinary committee upheld Kenya’s protest, with Guinea disqualified for breaching CAF’s rules and regulations.

“Considering CAF Statutes [and] Regulations, in particular the Regulations of the Women AFCON 2018; the Disciplinary Board decides that Kenya’s protest is upheld [and] a sanction of $10, 0000 is imposed on the Equatorial Guinea FA, and Equatorial Guinea’s Team is disqualified from the TOTAL African Women’s Cup of Nations 2018,” CAF said in a letter addressed to the FKF via its Secretary General, Robert Muthomi.

This is not the first time that Equatorial Guinea will be coming under the severe hammer of the football governing body, CAF.

They were initially banned from the 2016 edition of the competition hosted by Cameroon for also fielding ineligible players against fellow West African nation, Mali, who were also beaten 3-2 on aggregate.

With the decision, Kenya will make their second appearance in the competition, having made their debut two years ago in Cameroon.

Kenya have been authorised to replace Equatorial Guinea, who will also pay $10,000 in fines.

The 2018 AFCON will be staged in Ghana from November 17 to December 1.

The eight participating teams are Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Mali, South Africa, Zambia, Algeria and Nigeria.

The draw for the competition will be held on Sunday.

Additional reporting by Izu Akawor