Sports: Ethiopia, Zanzibar expelled from Cecafa U17 for age-cheating

[Deeq A.]

Ethiopia and Zanzibar have been kicked out of the ongoing CECAFA U17 Challenge Cup after the two countries were found to have registered/fielded ineligible players at the tournament.

Both Zanzibar and Ethiopia breached the tournament Rules and Regulations on age limit as stipulated in Article. 4.0 (Qualification of players), sub sections 4.3 and 4.6 of the Cecafa regulations, a statement from the organisers said.

Zanzibar presented nine players over the limit for their intended opening Group ‘B’ match against Sudan in Gitega on Sunday.  The match was not played and the committee later found out that 12 players in total were born before 2002 as required by the tournament rules.

The Ethiopian team was also found to have fielded three over-age players during another Group ‘B’ match against Somalia at Urukundo Stadium in Ngozi Province the same day. Ethiopia had won the match 3-1.

The Cecafa Organizing Committee that convened on Sunday evening at Ruhuka Hotel in Ngozi Province and chaired by Chairperson of the Women and U17 standing committee Doris Petra unanimously agreed to expel the two teams from the competition. Zanzibar were also fined Sh1.5m.
Ethiopia forfeited their win over Somalia on a 0-3 loss basis in addition to a Sh500,00 fine.

Ethiopia were set to play Ethiopia today and could as well benefit from a walkover with a match against Somalia their headache going forward. Kenya had beaten Burundi 4-0 in their opening match on Saturday.

Source: – The Star