Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles have a new challenge in Group D of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after Equatorial Guinea replaced Congo Brazzaville, following the latter’s disqualification by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Congo was expelled from the tournament after the CAF Disciplinary Board ruled that the team fielded an ineligible player during the qualification matches against Equatorial Guinea. The verdict, announced on Thursday, was the result of a formal complaint filed by the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) and subsequent investigations.
“The CAF Disciplinary Board has released a verdict on the matters involving the Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol (‘FEGUIFUT’) and the Fédération Congolaise de Football (‘FECOFOOT’) following the complaint filed by Equatorial Guinea over their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Qualifier matches,” CAF stated.
According to the verdict, Congo’s matches against Equatorial Guinea on December 21 and December 29, 2024, were declared forfeited with 3-0 wins awarded to Equatorial Guinea. The Disciplinary Board found that Congo’s player, Mr. Mankou Nguembete Japhet Eloi, was ineligible to participate in both fixtures.
CAF also imposed a $10,000 fine on the Congo Football Federation (FECOFOOT) as part of the sanctions.
Before the disqualification, Congo had secured CHAN qualification by defeating Equatorial Guinea 2-1 on aggregate after a goalless first leg and a narrow second-leg victory. However, the disciplinary ruling overturned those results, granting Equatorial Guinea a place in the tournament.
With this development, Equatorial Guinea joins Nigeria, Sudan, and defending champions Senegal in Group D of CHAN 2024.
The change reshuffles Group D dynamics, adding a new layer of competition for the Super Eagles as they aim for CHAN glory.
By Enoch Odesola| January 23, 2025
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