The Super Eagles of Nigeria will now face Sao Tome and Principe in their qualifying group for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disqualified Mauritius.
CAF’s Appeal Board overturned their earlier decision to disqualify Sao Tome over allegedly fielding an ineligible player against Les Dodos in the preliminary round of the qualifiers.
“Sao Tome and Principe Football Association took the decision of the Caf Disciplinary Board [May 08, 2022] to overturn the results of their match against Mauritius in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifiers played on March 24, 2022, on review with the Caf Appeals Board,” read part of the statement on CafOnline.
“After hearing both parties’ presentations, the Caf Appeals Board ruled that: The Appeal of Sao Tome and Principe Football Association is considered admissible in form.
“The Appeal of the Sao Tome and Principe Football Association is upheld, and the decision of the Caf Disciplinary Board is set aside in its entirety.”
The statement continued: “The result of the match between Mauritius and Sao Tome and Principe is ratified and validated. It means the Sao Tome and Principe Football Association shall be reimbursed the Appeal fees.”
This verdict means that Sao Tome will replace Mauritius in Group A alongside Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles are presently on a tour of the USA. They will face Ecuador in a friendly on June 3 before starting their qualifying series at home to Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on June 9.