The Super Eagles will now face Sao Tome and Principe in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) kicked out Mauritius.
CAF on Wednesday upheld Sao Tome and Principe’s appeal against Mauritius protest that they fielded an illegible player in a qualifying clash between the two countries.
Andriano Eusebio’s side now join 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
“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,”reads a statement on CAF’s website.
“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.
The Falcons will host the Super Eagles in a matchday two encounter on June 13.