By Mark Baber
Chad has pulled its team out of the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, meaning all their games in Group G have been annulled. As a consequence, Nigeria will be eliminated from the tournament if they lose to Group leaders Egypt this evening in Alexandria.
Chad had been due to face Tanzania in Dar es Salaam yesterday (Monday) but
The Chad Football Association president, Moctar Mahamoud, wrote to the Tanzania Football Federation saying: “As part of our participation in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for Gabon 2017 and specifically the return match against Tanzania, we bring to your attention that our national team has failed to make it to the return leg game in Dar el Salaam scheduled for March 28. Indeed, our country has been badly affected by the global economic conditions. Because of this our participation in various competitions has taken a severe dent due to financial constraints.
“We wish you all the best and we apologise for this situation which is basically unavoidable and out of our control.”
CAF responded to Chad’s withdrawal by handing out a fine and suspension from the 2019 Nations Cup qualifying round and confirmed that, according to the rules of qualification: “If a team withdraws from the qualifying phase organised in groups, all its results shall be annulled (points, scored and conceded goals).
“Hence, the matches of Chad of the first three days of Group G matches are cancelled and their results will not be taken into consideration.
“Accordingly, following the decision of CAF Executive Committee dated January 15th 2015: Any group reduced to three teams following a team withdrawal will only qualify the first team of that group.”
“The Chadian Football Association is suspended for the upcoming edition of the Nations Cup and must pay the monetary fine of US $20,000.”
Before Chad withdrew, the second placed team in Group G could have qualified for the 2017 tournament by finishing as one of the best second placed teams.
As a consequence, of Chad’s games being annulled, Egypt now have four points from their two games, with Nigeria on two points from their two draws, with Muhamed Salah’s last minute equaliser in last week’s Nigeria- Egypt game having taken on extra significance.
A victory for the Pharaohs in this evening’s game would see the Nike-sponsored Super Eagles miss a second Africa Cup of Nations in a row, after having failed to qualify for the 2015 edition.
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