Equatorial Guinea replace Congo at CHAN 2024

Equatorial Guinea have qualified for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after being awarded two 3-0 walkovers against Congo during qualifying.

The Red Devils won the two-legged tie 2-1 on aggregate to advance from Central Zone alongside Central African Republic and DR Congo.

However, the Equatoguinean Football Federation lodged a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after claiming that Japhet Mankou was ineligible to play in the two matches.

Mankou scored the opener in the 2-1 win for Congo at the Alphonse Massemba-Debat Stadium on December 29, while he also featured in Malabo eight days earlier.

CAF has now taken action against the Congolese Football Federation after passing a guilty verdict in relation to fielding the 22-year-old striker.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board found the Federation Congolaise de Football (FECOFOOT) guilty of fielding an ineligible player (Mr Mankou Nguembete Japhet Eloi) in both matches,” a statement from African football’s governing body read.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board has made the following decisions: (1) Matches No.1 Equatorial Guinea vs Congo and No.2 Congo vs Equatorial Guinea of the 2024 African Nations Championship qualifiers were declared forfeited by Congo (with a score of 3-0), and (2) The Federation Congolaise de Football was also fined USD 10,000.”