Posted by Ghana has been awarded three points for its final group match of the 2022 the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) against Morocco which was scheduled for Monday, January 23, CAF has announced.
The decision from CAF comes in after Morocco failed to show up for the competition due to diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Algeria.
Relations between the two Northern African countries have been strained and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) had written to CAF demanding authorization to travel on a direct flight to Constantine from Rabat for its games in the CHAN competition.
However, that didn’t materialize, forcing the FRMF to pull out of the competition.
The situation means Group C will now consist of three teams, with the first two teams in the group to secure a place in the knockout round.
All teams in the group which include Ghana, Sudan and Madagascar will be awarded three points and three goals for their games against Morocco.
Below is the decision of the Organizing Committee:
The Organizing Committee of the African Nations Championship in its meeting held in Algiers on the 16th of January 2023 noted with regret the absence of the National Team of Morocco from Match #5 of Group C between Morocco & Sudan in the frame of the group matches of the final tournament of CHAN2022.
The Committee reviewed the referee’s and commissioner’s reports and applied the following articles of the competition’s regulations, namely Articles 83 & 84.
The Committee decided that: • The Moroccan National team will lose all its matches by 3-0.
• Sudan, Ghana & Madagascar will earn 3 points each in their matches against Morocco.
• At the end of the phase of the group matches, the 1st and 2nd classified teams from Group C will qualify for the next round of the competition.
• Match #22: Sudan vs. Madagascar initially scheduled to be played in Oran has been moved to Constantine without any change in the date and kick-off time.
• To submit the case to CAF Disciplinary Committee for further examination.