The Confederation of African Football (CAF) may have begun investigating Guinea’s protest filed against Tanzania in the encounter at the last match day of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

Tanzania won the match 1-0 to qualify and eliminated Guinea.

Guinea submitted an appeal to the governing body last week following claiming that Tanzania fielded a player with the wrong number on his shirt.

In their appeal, Guinea argued that Ibrahim Ame, who was brought on in the 73rd minute, wore the incorrect number, contrary to CAF’s rules.

Ame’s number on the official team sheets was 24 but he donned number 26 while entering the field of play. Guinea, therefore, wants CAF to disqualify Tanzania and upgrade the West Africans as qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

A complaint was also lodged against the Kenyan match commissioner.

According to Kenyan publication, Tuko.co.ke, CAF has responded to Guinea’s complaint and wrote that  

CAF promised to make a follow-up as soon as possible.

“CAF informed the Guinean Football Federation (FGF) that the Secretariat of the Disciplinary Organs of CAF has taken note of the FGF’s complaint relating to the Tanzania – Guinea match,” read part of the statement.

Guinea have expressly asked CAF to pronounce itself and state the laws.

Both sides will now be waiting pensively for CAF’s findings to know who will qualify for Morocco next year. DR Congo qualified as group winners.

Guinea called out a Kenyan official who was the match commissioner in the match in question.

Guinea accused the official of inexplicable behaviour after he refused to take down their complaints.

Guinea’s protest against the qualification of Tanzania for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has taken a regional dimension. Guinea, from West Africa, got eliminated by East Africa’s Tanzania after their last match ended in a 1-0 defeat for the West African team.

In filing a protest against the alleged fielding of an ineligible player by Tanzania, Guinea also alleged complicity by the match commissioner who is from Kenya which is also in East Africa.

In the protest filed, Guinea claimed that Tanzania brought on a player whose jersey number was not on the official team sheet.

The match sheet

The player wore jersey number 26 but no player was attached to that number in the official team sheet.

According to Guinea’s submission, this is a clear contravention of the rules. The Guinea FA therefore wants CAF to award them the game.

It was further claimed that an attempt to statutorily route the protest through the match commissioner was rebuffed.

At the centre of the controversy is the match commissioner,  Francis Oliele of Kenya.

Guinea  termed Oliele’s behaviour ‘inexplicable’ as he did not allow them to file complaints at the end of the game.

“He went so far as to ask Guinean officials to go to CAF instead and not to him,” reads a part of Guinea’s appeal. The Michel Dussuyer-coached side is also concerned about why the commissioner and security officer were chosen from Kenya country, which is in the same Zonal Union.

The Guinean Football Federation have lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Thursday, alleging Tanzania fielded an ineligible player during their recent 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Guinea, who were edged out 1-0 by Tanzania in the final Group H match on Tuesday, failed to qualify for the continental tournament after finishing third with nibe points. 

Tanzania secured second place in the group with ten points, two off leaders DR Congo. 

Guinea claim that Tanzania fielded a player wearing jersey number 26, who entered the pitch in the 73rd minute, despite the number not being listed in the official CAF squad submission.

Moreover, the player’s jersey reportedly lacked a visible name, making it impossible to verify his identity.

Guinea cited Article 50 of CAF regulations, which mandates strict compliance with player registration, including matching jersey numbers and proper identification.

The federation argue that such violations could undermine the competition’s integrity by allowing suspended or unqualified players to participate.

The Guinean Football Federation are demanding that CAF declare them winners of the game and to reach the 2025 Nations Cup at the expense of Tanzania. 

CAF have yet to respond to the complaint.

-Ahram