AFCON 2015: Nigeria to play Congo as CAF disqualifies Rwanda

Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier challenge will no longer feature Rwanda after they were disqualified by the Confederation of African Football for fielding an ineligible player during their qualifying match against Congo in July.

According to a statement on the African football ruling body's website, Congo will now replace Rwanda with immediate effect after their protest was .

Rwanada was to play the Super Eagles of Nigeria on 6th September, 2014.

Cafonline reports that the decision followed a protest made by the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) during the first leg match of the second round of qualifying played against Rwanda on 20 July 2014 in Pointe-Noire.

The statement reads: 

''The protest by Congo contested the eligibility of the player Birori Dady aligned with Rwanda, and plays for the AS Vita Club of Kinshasa with Congolese (DRC) passport as Etekiama Agiti Tady, and a different age.

''Following investigations by CAF and on the basis of documents provided by the federations of Rwanda, Congo and DR Congo, and hearing the player's testimony on 11 August 2014 at CAF headquarters in Cairo, CAF established that the two identities only referred to a single person.

''While the Rwandan Football Federation (FERWAFA) maintained that to their knowledge the player Dady Birori had one identity, investigations revealed that he was summoned as Etekiama Agiti Tady by FERWAFA to join the national team of Rwanda,'' it said.

''Based on these and other findings, the Organising Committee of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in accordance with Article 41 of the regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, and Articles 82 and 83.1 of CAF Disciplinary Code, decided as follows:

''Immediately suspend the player Etekiama Agiti Tady / Birori Dady until further notice and ban him from playing for club and the national team

''Rwanda declared losers of No.37 against Congo, and consequently being eliminated from the competition

''Consign Congo to the group phase of the qualifiers of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco in 2015 in Group A, as replacement for Rwanda

''Reserved the right to confirm the exact length of the player's suspension and to impose additional sanctions if necessary at the next meeting of the Organising Committee scheduled for 17 September 2014

''Urged players and stakeholders to regulate the situation of dual identity

''The decision of the Committee takes effect immediately and with option for appeal in accordance with the regulatory provisions in force in CAF Disciplinary Code.''

A statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the decision followed a protest lodged by the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), after their match against Rwanda on July 20. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/afcon-2015-caf-disqualifies-rwanda-fielding-ineligible-player/#sthash.hIBsvN8H.dpuf

A statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the decision followed a protest lodged by the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), after their match against Rwanda on July 20. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/afcon-2015-caf-disqualifies-rwanda-fielding-ineligible-player/#sthash.hIBsvN8H.dpuf

A statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the decision followed a protest lodged by the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), after their match against Rwanda on July 20. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/afcon-2015-caf-disqualifies-rwanda-fielding-ineligible-player/#sthash.hIBsvN8H.dpuf