CAF excludes Kenya, Zimbabwe from 2023 AFCON qualifiers
CAF excludes Kenya, Zimbabwe from 2023 AFCON qualifiers
AwesomeProf
Kenya and Zimbabwe have been ruled out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after failing to "get their FIFA suspensions set aside," according to the Confederation of African Football.
Both federations were suspended by FIFA on February 24 owing to "government influence."
"As a result of their failure to have their FIFA suspensions lifted, CAF has confirmed that Kenya and Zimbabwe will not compete in the Africa Cup of Nations Cote d'Ivoire 2023 qualifiers," read a statement from CAF.
"On the first day of June 2022, the qualifiers will begin.
“CAF had included them in the official draw earlier in April 2022 on condition that the suspension must be lifted two weeks before their first match day.”
Kenya was assigned to Group C, which included Burundi, Cameroon, and Namibia, while Zimbabwe was assigned to Group K, which included Liberia, Morocco, and South Africa.
The winners and runners-up in each of the 12 groups advance to the finals, which will be held at six locations in the Ivory Coast on dates to be revealed in June and July of next year.
Champions Senegal begin their Africa Cup of Nations title defence at home to Benin.
