Drama As Mauritania Withdraw From WAFU U15 Tourney Over Alleged Unfair Competition After Loss to Sierra Leone

Drama As Mauritania Withdraw From WAFU U15 Tourney Over Alleged Unfair Competition After Loss to Sierra Leone

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:09 PM
  • WAFU U15 tourney in Liberia has kick-started amid age-cheating scandal as Mauritania withdraw from the tournament
  • Sierra Leone whitewashed Mauritania 6-0; a game which has sparked debate against the winning side
  • It was alleged that players that make up the Sierra Leonean side are far older than their opponents

Mauritania will no longer participate at the ongoing WAFU U15 tournament over alleged unfair competition and for the safety of the players.

They faced Sierra Leone and lost 6-0 in a match that has sparked debates among West Africans, as some have accused the winning side of using over-aged players.

Journalist Calvin Chikenge confirmed that the West African junior regional tournament has left fans talking due to the physical appearances of the teams, as Mauritanian players looked younger than their opponents, Sierra Leone.

WAFU U15, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mauritania
WAFU U15: Mauritania have withdrawn participation over age-cheating claims. Photo: African Football Greats
Source: Facebook

A statement said:

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“Mauritania has since withdrawn their participation from the tournament due to what they have termed as “unfair competition” and for the safety of their young players.”

And fans have taken to social media to react. One said:

“I think Mauritania brought a U12 team to the competition instead of U15. They should better find another excuse. The age cheating should be confirmed by the organisers not them.

Another added:

"Yes, I strongly agreed with them because Sierra Leone presented U21 instead of U15. This is total age cheating and corruption on the side of Sierra Leone... And this is going to create a great concern at WAFU."

One wrote:

“Sierra Leone's actions of age-cheating is a complete robbery to the beautiful game of football. This strongly undermined the growth and development of football across West Africa.”

Another fan claimed:

“Over age players in this tournament isn't fair at all. Mauritania brought actual age players but for Sierra Leone, Liberia and Senegal they brought over age guys. Good decision by them.”

Ghana's vice president speaks on age-cheating in football

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that Mahamudu Bawumia, the vice president of Ghana, has revealed that age-cheating in football can be reduced if sportsmen and women undergo the 'Ghana card' registration.

In the last few years, the West African nation has issued a new identification card popularly known as the Ghana card.

According to the Vice President, should sportsmen and women get the Ghana card, it will help reduce the problem of age-cheating.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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