Morocco was initially disqualified after losing its away match (2-0) and winning its home match (1-0).
Rabat – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has disqualified Congo from the final phase of the 2019 Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The decision comes after Congo did not comply with the competition’s rules by allowing a football player to play who was over 23.
In order for players to participate in the Under-23 tournament, they must have been born on or after January 1, 1997. However, one Congolese player, Zola, was born on February 23, 1996.
Zola played in two matches against Morocco in the second qualifying round.
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The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) had filed a complaint against the player for ineligibility.
The Moroccan national Under-23 team was initially disqualified after losing on aggregate 2-1 to Congo.
The Atlas Lions will now face off against Mali in a home match on June 5 and an away match on June 9 to seek a spot in the final phase in Egypt.
The 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations matches will qualify teams for the 2020 Summer Olympics men’s football tournament in Japan.
