CAF Cup: MK Etanchéité Could Be Awarded Win as Warri Wolves Face Possible Strike
Congolese side MK Etanchéité may be handed a default victory in their CAF Confederation Cup round of 16 first leg clash against Warri Wolves, with the Nigerian club’s players reportedly threatening to boycott Saturday’s fixture.
The standoff stems from a financial dispute between the Warri Wolves squad and club management. According to reports, the players have not been paid for several months and are demanding their salary arrears before stepping onto the pitch.
Unless urgent assurances are provided, the players may refuse to play — a move that could see MK Etanchéité awarded the match by forfeit under CAF regulations.
The match was scheduled to take place on Saturday as part of the first leg of the continental competition’s knockout round. However, tensions within the Warri Wolves camp have overshadowed preparations, casting serious doubt over the fixture.
The Congolese club, meanwhile, are monitoring the situation closely. Should Warri Wolves fail to honour the fixture, MK Etanchéité would likely be granted a 3-0 victory under CAF’s rules regarding walkovers, which could give them a major advantage ahead of the second leg.
This is not the first time financial instability has threatened Nigerian club football, with numerous sides facing internal unrest due to unpaid wages. The situation underscores ongoing concerns about player welfare and club management across parts of African football.
As of Friday evening, no official decision had been announced by CAF regarding the match. MK Etanchéité remain on standby, while Warri Wolves’ fate now depends on whether a last-minute resolution can be found to avert the strike.
