AFCON 2025: CAF confirms Guinea’s exclusion following qualifying dispute
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed Guinea’s exclusion from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco, rejecting the West African nation’s appeal over a qualifying match irregularity.
The controversy stems from Guinea’s return-leg fixture against Tanzania in November 2024.
During that match, an administrative discrepancy was noted: Tanzanian player Ibrahim Ame appeared on the official team sheet wearing the number 26, although he was registered under number 24.
Viewing this as a breach of regulations, the Guinean Football Federation (FGF) filed an official complaint and subsequently lodged an appeal, seeking sanctions against Tanzania and arguing that the result should be overturned in Guinea’s favour.
CAF, however, dismissed both claims. In its ruling, the continental governing body stated that the numbering error, while irregular, did not constitute a violation serious enough to affect the match outcome.
Consequently, Guinea’s elimination stands, and the Syli National will not participate in the upcoming tournament.
The FGF responded swiftly, issuing a strongly worded statement condemning CAF’s decision as lacking transparency and procedural justification. The federation also argued that its rights to due process were compromised, signaling that it would escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
CAS represents the final legal avenue for Guinea to challenge CAF’s ruling. Should the court rule in Guinea’s favour, CAF could be compelled to revisit its decision, potentially altering the group standings and the team’s qualification status.
While awaiting the legal process, Guinea must observe the 2025 AFCON preparations from the sidelines, a bitter experience for a team that had invested significant effort into qualifying.
The FGF has emphasized that its pursuit of justice is far from over, stressing that the nation remains committed to defending its interests both on and off the pitch.
This case underscores the fine margins that can define African football, where administrative and regulatory issues can have major competitive implications.
For CAF, the ruling reflects an emphasis on maintaining the integrity of match results while balancing procedural enforcement. For Guinea, however, it is a reminder of the challenges teams face when administrative errors intersect with qualification stakes.
The Syli National now faces the dual challenge of preparing for future competitions while navigating a complex legal battle. The situation also serves as a cautionary tale for national federations across Africa, highlighting the importance of meticulous adherence to registration and administrative procedures.
As AFCON 2025 approaches, Guinea’s absence will be felt, not only in the group stages but also across the wider fanbase, which had high hopes of seeing the team compete on home soil in Morocco.
The outcome at CAS will be closely watched, with the potential to set an important precedent for how CAF handles similar disputes in the future.
