CHAN 2024: Home-Based Super Eagles Get New Group Opponent as CAF Disqualifies Congo

The home-based Super Eagles of Nigeria will now face Equatorial Guinea in Group D of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) following the disqualification of Congo Brazzaville by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
CAF confirmed the decision on Thursday after its Disciplinary Board ruled that Congo fielded an ineligible player, Mankou Nguembete Japhet Eloi, during their qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea in December 2024.
In a statement, CAF said:
“The CAF Disciplinary Board has released a verdict on the matters involving the Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol (“FEGUIFUT”) and the Fédération Congolaise de Football (“FECOFOOT”) following the complaint filed by Equatorial Guinea on their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Qualifier home and away matches.
“The matches were played as follows: 21 December (Match No. 1: Equatorial Guinea vs Congo) and 29 December (Match No. 2: Congo vs Equatorial Guinea).
“The CAF Disciplinary Board found the Fédération Congolaise de Football (FECOFOOT) guilty of fielding an ineligible player in both matches.”
Decisions by CAF Disciplinary Board:
- Both matches between Congo and Equatorial Guinea were forfeited, with Congo losing by a score of 3-0 in each game.
- The Congo Football Federation (FECOFOOT) was fined $10,000.
Congo had originally earned CHAN qualification by securing a 2-1 aggregate win over Equatorial Guinea after a goalless first leg on December 21 and a victory in the second leg on December 29.
However, with the forfeiture, Equatorial Guinea now advances to the tournament and joins Nigeria, defending champions Senegal, and Sudan in Group D.
The Super Eagles will kick off their campaign with renewed preparations as they adapt to the change in opponents. The disqualification of Congo highlights CAF’s commitment to upholding regulations and ensuring fairness in its competitions.