By Ebube Dike

Africa’s football authority, the Confederation of African Football, CAF have reinstated Sao Tome and Prince into Group A of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifiers after their appeal against Mauritius’s accusations of fielding an illegible player was validated.

Consequently, Mauritius who last month replaced Sao Tome in the Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race have been kicked out.

Sao Tome and Principe were initially kicked out of the qualifiers for the after forward Luis Leal failed to provide a valid Covid-19 test prior to their preliminary round victory over Mauritius in March. The experienced Leal scored in the 1-0 first leg victory

This is the second decision taken by the African Football Governing body, CAF who had earlier fined Sao Tome and Principe $10,000 and disqualified them from the 2023 AFCON qualifiers after Mauritius accused them of fielding an illegible player in the preliminary round of the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers.

Afrinews247 reports that the reinstating of Sao Tome and Principe comes following the decision of the CAF appeal committee in validating the appeal filed by the Santomean Football Federation.

A reversal of the situation occurred this time with the CAF appeal committee giving Sao Tome the right to participate in qualifiers while Mauritius has been thrown out.

The Mauritius FA, immediately informed of the situation, sent a letter to CAF for clarification, and in the course of things will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Sao Tome is in group A of the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers alongside Nigeria, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone.

Mauritius were scheduled to face Guinea Bissau on June 9 away and host Nigeria on 14th.