• Guinea has requested to replace Tanzania in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following an alleged administrative violation
• Many African football commentators have argued that it is highly unlikely that they will be banned from the tournament
• Countries in Africa have been banned from playing at AFCON for various reasons, including government interference

Guinea wants Tanzania to be disqualified from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to an alleged administrative violation.

Taifa Stars are waiting to hear CAF’s decision on the matter, with many suggesting they could be fined.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA have banned many countries from playing in the competition.

South Africa’s apartheid policy saw them expelled from CAF in 1957 but returned to international football in 1991.

In the following years, teams would be suspended from AFCON mainly due to government interference. Here are some of the teams that were banned from the tournament or the qualifiers.

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5 teams suspended from AFCON

Morocco

Morocco was banned from 2015 and 2017 AFCON for pulling out as hosts for the 2015 event. The North African nation pulled out, citing the risks to fans traveling from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa.

CAF fined Morocco $1 million for pulling out as hosts and ordered their confederation to pay €8 million in compensation to CAF, per The Guardian.

In 2015, they won their appeals against their bans from the 2017 and 2019 AFCON tournaments and had their fine reduced, per BBC. They reached the quarter-finals in 2017. They will host the 2025 edition.

Nigeria

The Super Eagles are giants of African football, but they have had many ups and downs at AFCON. They have won it three times and suffered some painful defeats.

Nigeria was banned in 2996 when President Sani Abacha withdrew the team from the tournament in South Africa due to Nelson Mandela’s criticism. The Super Eagles were banned from the 1998 edition in Burkina Faso. The ban came at a time when Nigeria had its Golden Generation.

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South Africa

South Africa was in the football wilderness for decades due to the apartheid policy. FIFA suspended them in 1964 and expelled them 10 years later. Their football governing body was reinstated in 1992, and their first match was against giants Cameroon. CAF expelled South Africa in 1960 and were the first to invite them back in early 1992 after the release of Nelson Mandela.

They won the AFCON in 1996 and qualified for the World Cups in 1998 and 2002. South Africa became the first African nation to host the 2010 World Cup.

Kenya and Zimbabwe

In 2022, Kenya and Zimbabwe were banned in 2022 due to government interference. Kenya’s Ministry of Sports disbanded the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, suspended the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for alleged sexual harassment. Both teams missed out on AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire.

Chad and Sierra Leone were also banned in 2021 due to government interference.

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Mali and Ivory Coast

These two West African football giants were both banned from the 1978 AFCON Ghana. Ivory Coast beat Mali to qualify, but there was some controversy. The late Igance Guidy played under the fake name Ignace Kablan for the Elephants.

He used the name to lie about his age to play at the 1977 World Youth Championship. Mali reported Ivory Coast, who were later disqualified. Interestingly, Mali had also fielded an ineligible player, resulting in their disqualification, per Sports star.

List of countries that have qualified, Kenya, Ghana Miss Out

Short news previously reported that the qualification period for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations officially ended on November 19 after the final whistle of the Senegal vs Burundi match.

23 teams, along with hosts Moroccoconfirmed their place in next year’s tournament, 10 months after the 2023 final and Ivory Coast against Nigeria.

Source: TUKO.co.ke