Kenya Set to Be Kicked out Of AFCON Qualifiers After Failing to Meet CAF Demands

Kenya Set to Be Kicked out Of AFCON Qualifiers After Failing to Meet CAF Demands

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:02 PM
In this article:
CAF Africa Cup of Nations logo
CAF AFCON
Africa
  • Kenya is staring at a premature exit from the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
  • The country is currently suspended from all footballing activities after FIFA slapped a ban on it
  • FIFA took the drastic decision following a move by the Cabinet Secretary of Sports, Amina Mohammed, to disband the Football Kenya Federation’s national executive committee
  • CAF had set a raft of guidelines that Kenya needed to follow to be allowed to take part in the continental competition

Kenya's Harambee Stars are in danger of being kicked out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for failing to meet demands set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Kenya is currently suspended from all footballing activities due to government interference in the administration of the sport.

Harambee Stars players pose for a group photo during a past international match. Photo: @Harambee_Stars.
Harambee Stars players pose for a group photo during a past international match. Photo: @Harambee_Stars.
Source: Twitter

The ban was slapped by the world football governing body, FIFA, back in February 2022, meaning no Kenyan team can play internationally.

Kenya pooled in Group C of the AFCON qualifiers

Despite the ban, Kenya was still afforded a slot when CAF announced the 2023 AFCON qualifiers groups.

Kenya has been pooled in Group C of the qualifiers alongside Burundi, Namibia, and African football heavyweights, Cameroon.

Harambee Stars were scheduled to kick off their qualifiers campaign with a trip to Cameroon on Saturday, June 4.

CAF sets demands Kenya must meet to play in the qualifiers

However, for Kenya to take part in the fixtures, CAF set a raft of demands the country must meet.

According to the continental football governing body, Kenya must ensure its current ban is lifted at least two weeks before the qualifiers kick-off.

"Reference to the suspension of Zimbabwe and Kenya by Fifa from all football activities, in case the suspension is not lifted two weeks before their first matchday of their qualifiers; both associations will be considered as losers and eliminated from the competition," Goal quoted a CAF statement detailing Kenya's predicament.

By the close of business Wednesday, May 18, Kenya had not cleared with FIFA, leaving the country in danger of getting kicked out of the competition.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, which was pooled in Group K are alongside South Africa, Liberia, and Morocco is the other country facing a similar fate as Kenya.

Eto'o, Drogba in Kenya for Africities summit

Earlier, Sports Brief reported football legends Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o are among the dignitaries set to attend the 9th edition of the Africities summit.

The former football stars are expected to give talks about football and sports during the five-day event being held at Kenya's lakeside city of Kisumu.

The two enjoyed illustrious football careers during their playing days, with Drogba winning the Premier League on four occasions.

Authors
Fred Kennedy photo
Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.
Tags
Kenya