At the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations (AFCON U17) qualifiers that debuted during the weekend, CAF revealed that 25 players failed the age verification test done through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan and cardiology test.
The qualifiers kicked off on Sunday in Niger, where West B Zone (WAFU-UFOA B) teams will be competing.
According to CAF, two players from Ivory Coast namely Lakou Ndatien Mickael Toure and Yao Serges Eric Konan; two from Nigeria, Sani Abacha Suleiman and Savior Johnson Issac; one from Niger, Ismael Mahamadou Moussa; and 10 from Benin Republic have been disqualified for ‘age cheating’.
Only players under the age of 17 are allowed to take part in the competition.
Benin have been asked to pull out of the tournament after 10 of their 18 players failed test.
The qualifiers are taking place in six zones across the continent with 49 teams. Only 8 teams will participate in the finals of the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations holding in Tanzania in May.
