Suspended Kenya, Zimbabwe locked out of AFCON 2023 qualifiers

Xinhua
24 May 2022, 21:35 GMT+10

NAIROBI, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed Tuesday that Kenya and Zimbabwe will not participate in the Cote d'Ivoire 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers that kick off across the continent next week.

The continental governing body said the decision had been taken after both countries failed to have their suspensions from international football slapped in March by FIFA lifted by the two-week deadline set by CAF before the qualifiers started.

"CAF had included them in the official draw earlier in April 2022 on condition that the suspension must be lifted two weeks before their first match day. Kenya and Zimbabwe, suspended for political interference, have not yet met the criteria required by the FIFA Congress as a prerequisite for lifting their suspension," CAF said in a statement.

Kenya was paired alongside five-time champion Cameroon, Namibia and Burundi in Group C while Zimbabwe was in Group K alongside Morocco, South Africa and Liberia.

"The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) will be considered losers and eliminated from the competition.

"Groups C and K will be composed only of three teams and the order of the matches will be maintained in accordance with the match schedule that has been communicated to the teams after the draw," CAF added.

According to the continental governing body, the top two teams of those groups will qualify for the final tournament.

The AFCON qualifiers will kick off on June 1.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cape Town Express.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

Gaza War sucking life out of an Israeli generation

In the past month alone, 23 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza—three more than the number of remaining living hostages held...

Faulty IT system at heart of UK Post Office scandal, says report

LONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...

Travelers can now keep shoes on at TSA checkpoints

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...

Rubio impersonator used AI to reach officials via Signal: cable

WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...

Warsaw responds to migration pressure with new border controls

SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...

Deadly July 4 flash floods renew alarm over NWS staffing shortages

WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...

South Africa

Section

BRICS issues rebuke on trade and Iran, avoids direct US criticism

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: At a two-day summit over the weekend, the BRICS bloc of emerging economies issued a joint declaration condemning...

High winds lead to 'frustrating day' at LIV Golf Andalucia

(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images) Australia's Cameron Smith and England's Lee Westwood were in a five-way tie for the lead...

England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith joins exclusive club after impressive show at Lord's against India in 3rd Test

London [UK], July 11 (ANI): Young prodigy Jamie Smith became just the third England wicketkeeper to hammer 400 runs in a Test series,...

After breaking Dravid's century milestone, Root breaks former India star's world record of completing most outfield catches in Test

London [UK], July 11 (ANI): England's talismanic batter Joe Root shattered the 'Wall' Rahul Dravid's record for most outfield catches...

Joe Root's poor form against Jasprit Bumrah in Tests continues

London [UK], July 11 (ANI): England right-hand batter Joe Root's poor form in Tests against India's right-arm seamer Jasprit Bumrah...

Jamie Smith becomes fastest wicketkeeper-batter to score 1000 Test runs

London [UK], July 11 (ANI): England right-hand batter Jamie Smith on Friday levelled the record of South African cricketer Quinton...