The controversy surrounding the African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifying match between Guinea and Tanzania is intensifying. Defeated by the Kilimanjaro Stars (0-1), Syli National contacted the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to challenge the eligibility of the Tanzanian player Muhamed Ibrahim Ame who wore a number different from the one listed on the match sheet. Bogola Haba accuses CAF.
The Guinean Minister of Youth and Sports, Keamou Bogola Haba, continues to ruminate on the defeat of the national Syli. Asked by Africaguinée.com, he denounced maneuvers unfavorable to Guinea. According to him, Tanzania would have benefited from preferential treatment from CAF, due to its joint organization with Kenya and Uganda of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2025) and the African Cup. nations (CAN 2027).
“We experienced the most difficult moments that you cannot imagine when we had to go and play in Tanzania on November 19,” declared the minister, recalling that the match schedule had been brought forward from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m. GMT, officially for technical reasons linked to stadium lighting. “An approved stadium should not present such a problem 48 hours before kick-off,” he noted, before deeming the decision unacceptable in extreme weather conditions of 35 degrees. “The players were not prepared to play in such conditions. »
Bogola Haba also pointed out inconsistencies in arbitration and administrative management. “They were referees from the same region, all this gave us clear messages on what to expect,” continues the Minister of Sports.
The appearance on the field of a player wearing the number 26, not mentioned on the match sheet, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. “He was an intruder. This should have resulted in the match being stopped immediately. His identity was not known. If they did it, it was to prevent Guinea from equalizing. And when it’s like that, we have to stop the game… That’s why I say that Guinea is not yet eliminated,” Keamou Bogola Haba wants to believe.
Tanzania’s response
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), for its part, refuted all accusations in a press release published on November 21. Affirming that Muhamed Ibrahim Ame was indeed one of the 23 players called for the match, she stressed that the pre-screening of the players had been carried out by the match officials and that no objections had been raised before kick-off. “These allegations should not tarnish our legitimate victory.” The TFF called the Guinean accusations an attempt to distract fans from Syli National’s defeat.
For Tanzania, this controversy does not call into question their qualification and should not taint the celebration of their victory. She invited her supporters to continue to celebrate the performance of Taifa Stars. She said she was confident about the outcome of the Guinean appeal, arguing that CAF had so far expressed no doubt about the regularity of the match.
Expert opinion
For experts, the dispute raises questions about the management of match sheets and administrative errors. Mohamed Touati, a Tunisian lawyer specializing in sports law, believes that the case is mainly based on an administrative flaw. “This jersey number error does not constitute a serious fault,” believes the expert. He reminds that the referee is the only one responsible for checking licenses and lists before the match. The match result should not be changed.
The Guinean minister remains convinced that qualification is still possible. “Until proven otherwise, Guinea is not eliminated,” he insisted.
For the moment, the Confederation of African Football has not yet made its official decision concerning the appeal by the Guinean Football Federation. However, some local sports media are reporting that the CAF disciplinary committee met on Friday, November 22 and reportedly decided to impose a financial penalty on Tanzania. No disqualification action would have been taken. Enough to dampen the hopes of qualification of the national Syli for the CAN 2025 planned in Morocco.
Abdoulaye Bah
What were the main controversies surrounding the Guinea vs. Tanzania match in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers?
Interview: The Intersection of Football and Controversy — A Deep Dive into the Guinea vs. Tanzania Match
Time.news Editor: Welcome to this special edition of our interview series. Today, we have the honor of speaking with Dr. Samuel Kwame, a prominent sports analyst and expert in African football governance. Dr. Kwame, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Samuel Kwame: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here to discuss such an important topic in African football.
Editor: The recent African Cup of Nations qualifying match between Guinea and Tanzania has sparked quite the controversy, particularly surrounding the eligibility of Tanzanian player Muhamed Ibrahim Ame. What are your thoughts on how this matter has unfolded?
Dr. Kwame: This situation is certainly complex. The accusations from Guinea’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Keamou Bogola Haba, highlight significant concerns regarding officiating and player eligibility. The fact that a player wore a number that wasn’t on the match sheet is alarming and raises questions about procedural adherence in FIFA-sanctioned matches.
Editor: Haba also voiced grievances about the match conditions, mentioning extreme weather and a last-minute schedule change. How do you view the impact of such circumstances on player performance and fairness in competitions?
Dr. Kwame: Extreme weather conditions can incredibly impact players’ performances. When you consider the temperature soaring to 35 degrees Celsius, it becomes a health issue as much as a competitive one. Edited match schedules, especially on short notice, can throw teams off balance, impacting their preparations. It’s vital for governing bodies like CAF to prioritize player welfare, ensuring fair conditions.
Editor: That leads us to the refereeing decisions that Haba criticized. Do you think there’s an inclination towards favoritism in officiating, particularly regarding countries preparing to host future tournaments?
Dr. Kwame: Unfortunately, favoritism can exist within any sports governance structure, especially in regions with overlapping interests, such as joint hosting of future tournaments. Haba’s comments about regional referees might reflect a broader issue within CAF where political and economic ties may influence match officiating and administrative decisions. Transparency in officiating is critical to maintaining trust among competing nations.
Editor: Tanzania has, however, defended itself vehemently, claiming that the accusations are merely distractions from Guinea’s defeat. Do you agree with their stance?
Dr. Kwame: While it’s understandable for Tanzania to defend its position, I think dismissing the concerns raised by Guinea as merely distraction does a disservice to the integrity of sport. Both teams should focus on fair play. If there are legitimate concerns about officiating or player eligibility, they need to be addressed through proper channels rather than stifled as mere excuses for losing.
Editor: Given this backdrop, what do you think the implications for CAF and the broader football community in Africa might be if Guinea’s appeal is upheld?
Dr. Kwame: If Guinea’s appeal leads to significant consequences for Tanzania, it could set a precedent that encourages other nations to question match integrity more proactively. However, it’s crucial for CAF to handle such appeals with transparency and impartiality. This incident could either strengthen CAF’s integrity if handled well or further erode trust in the federation if seen as favoritism or bias.
Editor: As we look towards the future, what reforms do you think are necessary to prevent such controversies?
Dr. Kwame: There’s a need for stricter enforcement of match regulations and clearer guidelines for officiating and player eligibility. Regular training and evaluation of referees should also be implemented. Furthermore, creating independent bodies to investigate and adjudicate disputes could enhance credibility. Lastly, increased dialog between national federations and CAF is crucial to ensure clearer communication and standardized practices across the continent.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kwame, for your insights into this pressing issue. It’s vital for the integrity of African football that we address such controversies seriously. We appreciate your time.
Dr. Kwame: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these important matters, and I hope for a resolution that benefits the sport in Africa.