The Super Eagles of Nigeria, in the US on a friendly tour where they are to face Ecuador after playing CONCACAF giants Mexico, will now play Sao Tome and Principe in the 2023 AFCON group stage qualifiers, after Mauritius were shown the way out of the continental event.
Sao Tome and Principe had approached CAF Appeals Board after they were disqualified by the CAF Disciplinary Board for fielding an ineligible player against Mauritius.
The African continental football governing body in a statement released on June 1, 2022, noted that the CAF Appeal Board has admitted Sao Tome and Principe’s plea to upturn the decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board.
CAF statement 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 the 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,” CAF started.
With the ruling by CAF, Nigeria, a three-time African Champion, who start their AFCON qualifying Group A campaign against Sierra Leone on Thursday, June 9, will now travel to Sao Tome and Principe to process their second Group A match on June 13, 2022.
