Uganda dumped out of U20 qualifiers over player's age

May 13, 2016

Rwanda will now replace Uganda and take on Egypt

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has disqualified Uganda Hippos from the CAF U-20 AFCON Qualifiers. 

According to the FERWAFA (Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association) the decision was taken by CAF following Rwanda's protest on ineligibility of four Ugandan players who took part in a qualifier played on April 23rd, 2016 in Kampala. 

Uganda won the match 2-1 to secure a 3-2 aggregate win following the a 1-1 draw in the first leg. 

The players in question are Frank TumwesigyeJames Aheebwa, Halid Lwalirwa and Martin Kizza 

Rwanda's petition stated that the dates of birth on the passports of the four players were different compared to the ones registered with their clubs that took part in CAF competitions this season; Vipers SC and SC Villa . 

According to the official communication released by CAF, of the  four players it was discovered that goalkeeper Aheebwa's CAF Champions License with Viper indicates that he was born on March 27, 1997, while according to his passport used in the U20 qualifier against Rwanda, he was born on May 19, 1998 which flouts CAF rules. 

According to Article 46 of the CAF U20 rules, each player must possess a passport containing his photo and giving the full particulars on the player's age (day, month and year of birth) a player who does not have a passport issued by the competent authorities, shall not be authorised to participate in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Rwanda will now host Egypt in the first leg scheduled for May 20-22 while the second leg will be staged between June 10-12 in Cairo.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});