Caf cancels Sierra Leone-Ghana Cup of Nations qualifiers

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has cancelled the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group “F” double-header pitting Sierra Leone and Ghana.

This has been occasioned by Sierra Leone’s failure to meet conditions stipulated in the letter sent by Caf on Fifa’s decision to suspend the federation due to government interference last Friday.

By virtue of the suspension, the federation lost all its membership rights with its national teams and affiliated clubs are no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.

Sierra Leone were due to host the four-time African champions on Thursday with the return leg three days later.

“As a result, all officials appointed for match no 89 (Sierra Leone v Ghana) are not to travel as their mission has been cancelled, likewise, the officials who have travelled for Match no 65 (Ghana v Sierra Leone) are requested to travel back home since the match has been cancelled,” read the letter signed by Director of Competition at Caf, Samson Adamu.

The new development will certainly have a direct impact on Harambee Stars' chances of qualifying for the continental showpiece from the group where the West African nation had been pooled alongside Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia.

Kenya, who play Ethiopia on Wednesday in Bahir Dir before hosting the Walya Antelopes on Sunday at Kasarani, are second in the group with three points similar to leaders Ghana.

Ethiopia, who beat Sierra Leone 1-0 on September 9, lose the points. This means that Stars now need four points in their double-header with Ethiopia to secure a place in next year's finals set to be held in Cameroon.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars will play Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko in a friendly match on Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi.