Super Eagles of Nigeria will now face Sao Tome and Principe in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series after Mauritius was kicked out by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
On Wednesday, CAF upheld Sao Tome and Principe’s appeal against Mauritius, that they fielded an illegible player in a qualifying clash between the two countries.
Andriano Eusebio tutored side now joins Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau in Group A of the qualifiers.
Sao Tome and Principe were initially thrown out of the qualifiers after captain Luis Leal failed to provide a valid Covid-19 test before their preliminary round clash against the Dodos in March.
A statement on CAF’s website reads “São 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.
“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.
– The result of match between Mauritius and São Tomé and Príncipe is ratified and validated.
– The São Tomé and Príncipe Football Association shall be reimbursed the Appeal fees.