THE Confederation of African Football has replaced Mauritius with Sao Tome and Principe as Nigeria’s group opponents for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
Mauritius had been placed in qualifying Group A along with Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau after the CAF Disciplinary Board decided in their favour in May in a dispute with Sao Tome and Principe over an ineligible player.
Indeed, the Super Eagles were scheduled to travel to Mauritius on June 13 for a qualifying clash, but they will now face Sao Tome instead.
“Sao Tomé and Príncipe Football Association took the decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board (08 May 2022) to overturn the results of their match against Mauritius in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations preliminary qualifiers played on 24 March 2022 on review with the CAF Appeals Board,” CAF explained today.
“After hearing both parties’ presentations, the CAF Appeals Board ruled that: the Appeal of São Tomé and Príncipe Football Association is considered admissible in form; the appeal of the São Tomé and Príncipe Football Association is upheld and the decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board is set aside in its entirety.”
CAF therefore declared Sao Tome and Principe the winner of the disputed match and restored them to the qualifying series.
CAF also ruled that the São Tomé and Príncipe Football Association will be reimbursed the appeal fees.
With the ruling, the Super Eagles are expected to face Sao Tome and Principe on June 13 instead of Mauritius, four days after the three-time African champions host Sierra Leone in Abuja.
