GHANA DISQUALIFIED FROM U17 AFCON 2015 OVER AGE FRAUD: TWUM ISAAC AT THE CENTER OF CONTROVERSY
Ghana’s hopes of competing in the final phase of the 2015 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger have been dashed following a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The governing body has disqualified the Black Starlets for fielding an overage player—Twum Isaac—during their qualifying campaign.
The case emerged after Ghana’s 2-1 win over Cameroon on September 15. FECAFOOT, Cameroon’s football federation, filed a complaint alleging age irregularities in seven Ghanaian players. CAF responded by requesting further MRI age tests, which were carried out by the Ghana Football Association (GFA). However, CAF’s independent counter-examination confirmed that Twum Isaac exceeded the age limit allowed for U17 competition.
As a result, the CAF Competitions Committee awarded Ghana’s place at the tournament to Cameroon, who had lost the initial qualifier.
Despite the ruling, the GFA is refusing to go down without a fight, stating it will appeal the decision in hopes of overturning the disqualification.
This incident reignites the long-standing issue of age fraud in youth football, a challenge that continues to undermine fair competition on the continent.
