• Guinea requested to replace Tanzania at 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after alleged administrative violation
• Many African football commentators have said they are highly unlikely to be kicked out of the tournament.
• African countries were banned from participating in the AFCON for various reasons, including government interference.

Guinea wants Tanzania disqualified from 2025 Africa Nations Cup due to an alleged administrative infraction.

Taifa Stars are awaiting CAF’s decision on the matter, with many suggesting they could be fined.

Bans from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA have prevented many countries from participating in the competition.

South Africa’s apartheid policy expelled them from CAF in 1957, but they returned to international football in 1991.

In subsequent years, teams will be prohibited from CAN mainly for government interference. Here are some of the teams banned from the tournament or qualifiers.

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5 teams banned from the CAN

Morocco

Morocco was banned from the 2015 and 2017 CANs for withdrawing as host of the 2015 events. The North African nation withdrew, citing risks posed by fans coming from South African countries. West affected by Ebola.

CAF fined Morocco $1 million for its withdrawal from the host country and ordered its federation to pay 8 million euros as compensation to CAF, according to The Guardian.

In 2015, they won their appeal against their ban from the 2017 and 2019 AFCON tournaments and had their fines reduced, according to BBC. They reached the quarter-finals in 2017. They will host the 2025 edition.

Nigeria

The Super Eagles are giants of African football, but they have experienced many ups and downs during the CAN. They have won it three times and suffered painful defeats.

Nigeria were banned in 2996 when President Sani Abacha withdrew the team from the tournament in South Africa due to criticism from Nelson Mandela. The Super Eagles were banned from the 1998 edition in Burkina Faso. The ban came at a time when Nigeria was experiencing its golden generation.

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South Africa

South Africa was plunged into a footballing wilderness for decades due to the policy of apartheid. FIFA suspended them in 1964 and expelled them 10 years later. Their football governing body was readmitted in 1992 and their first match was against the Cameroonian giants. CAF expelled South Africa in 1960 and was the first to invite them back in early 1992 after the release of Nelson Mandela.

They won the 1996 AFCON and qualified for the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. South Africa became the first African country to host the World Cup in 2010.

Kenya and Zimbabwe

In 2022, Kenya and Zimbabwe were banned due to government interference. Kenya’s Sports Ministry has dissolved the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, suspended the Zimbabwe Football Federation (ZIFA) for alleged sexual harassment. Both teams missed CAN 2023 in Ivory Coast.

Chad and Sierra Leone were also banned in 2021 due to government interference.

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Mali and Ivory Coast

These two giants of West African football were both excluded from the 1978 CAN in Ghana. Ivory Coast beat Mali to qualify, but there was some controversy. The late Igance Guidy played under the false name Ignace Kablan for the Elephants.

He used this name to lie about his age in order to compete in the World Junior Championships in 1977. Mali reported Ivory Coast, who were later disqualified. Interestingly, Mali had also fielded an ineligible player, which resulted in his disqualification, according to Sports star.

Tanzania responds to disqualification reports

After reports emerged that Tanzania could be excluded from the CANtheir football governing body explained the situation, as Legitime.ng reported earlier.

The Tanzania Football Association said the player in question was part of the matchday squad and was eligible to play despite wearing a number not on the team sheet.

Source: TUKO.co.ke