CAF confirms Guinea’s exclusion from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania secures place
Guinea has been officially ruled out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) dismissed its complaint against Tanzania, confirming the East African nation’s qualification for the tournament.
The decision stems from a dispute raised by the Guinean Football Federation over a player’s shirt number during the Tanzania–Guinea qualifier on 19 November 2024 in Dar-es-Salaam.
Guinea alleged that a Tanzanian player wore a number different from the one listed on the official match sheet, claiming a violation of competition regulations.
CAF’s Disciplinary Jury, however, rejected the protest.
In a statement issued by the Guinean Football Federation shortly after the ruling, the body outlined the details of the verdict.
The Guinean Football Federation informs the public and supporters of the Syli National that the CAF Disciplinary Jury has communicated to it decision DC23192, relating to its complaint concerning match no. 143 Tanzania-Guinea, played on November 19, 2024 in Dar-es-Salam, as part of the sixth day of the qualifiers for the TotalEnergies Morocco AFCON 2025, the press release read.
The statement added: The Disciplinary Jury, composed of Ousmane Kane (Senegal) – President, Felix Golbassia Felix (Chad) – Member, and Issaka Douma (Niger) – Member, ruled on December 19, 2024 and rendered the following decision: The reservation filed by the Guinean Football Federation during match no. 143 Tanzania vs Guinea is deemed admissible on the form. On the merits, the complaint is dismissed as unfounded.
According to the federation, it has already invoked its right to request a detailed explanation of the ruling.
In accordance with Articles 54 to 58 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, the Guinean Football Federation requested detailed reasons for this decision and decided to appeal in accordance with the procedures provided for in the Code, the statement continued.
The decision deals a significant blow to Guinea, who had hoped for a reversal that would reinstate their qualification prospects.
Tanzania, meanwhile, benefits from CAF’s confirmation and will take part in the Morocco-hosted tournament next year.
Despite the setback, the Guinean Football Federation has pledged to continue defending the interests of the Syli National.
The Guinean Football Federation therefore remains mobilized to defend the interests of the Syli National, the statement concluded, leaving the door open for further legal action but with Tanzania’s qualification already secured.
