AFCON 2017 withdrawal: Chad compounds Eagles, Pharoahs woes

NIGERIA’S hope of  picking the ticket for the  2 017 A FCON i s now  hanging in the balance, following the abrupt withdrawal of Chad from the qualification series.
Chad, in the same Group G with Nigeria, Egypt and Tanzania , yester­day pulled out of the race for Gabon 2017, citing financial constraints.
It is now a winner takes all scenario for both Nigeria and Egypt because the decision of CAF Executive Com­mittee dated 15 January 2015, s tipu­lated that any group reduced to three teams following the withdrawal of a team will have only the group winner qualifying for the final tournament.
Meanwhile the football ruling body had wielded the big hammer on Chad­ian Football Federation for the with­drawal of its national team from the Africa Cup of Nations, Gabon 2017.
In conformity with article 59 of CAF rules, the Confederation body slammed a $20,000 fine on Chad FA and consequently barred them from participating in the next edition of the AFCON cham­pionship.
An official statement by Chad signed by FA general secretary Moctar Mahamoud said the coun­try will not be in Tanzania for Monday’s AFCON qualifier due to the global economic crunch, which had also affected their par­ticipation in other international competitions.
“As part of our participation in the African Cup of Nations quali­fiers for Gabon 2017 and particu­larly the return match against Tanzania, we bring to your at­tention that our national team has failed to make it to the return leg game in Dar el Salaam scheduled for March 28,” said Moctar Maha­moud.
“Indeed, our country has been affected by the global economic conditions and because of this, our participation in various competi­tions has taken a serious blow due to financial constraints.
“We wish you all the best and we apologise for this situation which is basically independent of our will.”
Chad is bottom of Group G with no points having lost their matches against Nigeria, Egypt and Tanza­nia.
Besides the trip to Tanzania, they are also due to host Nigeria in June before a final group game against Egypt.