The Guinea Football Federation (FGF) is claiming Tanzania should be prevented from qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after an alleged administrative violation in Tuesday’s match between the two sides which saw a Tanzanian substitute wear an incorrect shirt number.
The FGF said in a statement on Thursday that it filed a formal complaint about the alleged error following the qualifier. The Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF) later said it had not received any indication from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which organises AFCON, that their player’s participation in the match was “illegal”.
Tanzania won the match 1-0 in its capital of Dar es Salaam, which saw them book their spot in the 2025 AFCON by finishing second in their qualification group, one point ahead of third-placed Guinea.
But the FGF claims that the shirt number error should result in Tanzania being penalised by losing the match and the victory and three points instead awarded to Guinea, which would see them qualify instead.
The incident in question occurred in the 73rd minute of Tuesday’s game, when Ibrahim Ame was introduced. The FGF claims that he wore the No 26 in error, as there was no player with that number listed on the official teamsheet.
The TFF, though, adds that its players were checked by Guinea and the match commissioner ahead of the game and that it is “surprised” about the claim regarding the illegitimacy of Ame’s participation.
The Athletic has approached CAF for comment.
(Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images)
