AFCON. PHOTO/FILE
PARIS, March 27 – Cash-strapped Chad were fined Sh2m ($20,000) on Sunday for pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations on the grounds they could not afford the trip to play a qualifying game.
Chad had been due to travel to Tanzania for Monday’s game in Dar El Salam but their football federation said the coffers were almost empty due to a financial crisis.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said Chad would be fined and banned from the next edition.
“Our country is suffering the effects of the global economic crisis and, as a consequence, our participation in various competitions has taken a serious blow due to financial shortages,” said a Chad federation statement.
Chad had been playing in Group G for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Gabon.
Their withdrawal leaves Egypt, Nigeria and Tanzania to fight for the lone qualifying spot for the finals.
