CAF have confirmed that Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors are out of the qualifiers for next year’s Olympic Games after failing to fulfil their trip to Cote d’Ivoire last month.

ZIFA have since been fined $10 000 by FIFA and the match was declared a 3-0 forfeit victory for the Ivoirians.

ZIFA have made futile attempts to have the second leg match played at the weekend and they even informed organisers of the ZNA Charity final between Dynamos and Highlanders to prepare to move the match from Rufaro to the National Sports Stadium.

But, according to the fixtures released by CAF yesterday, Cote d’Ivoire will now face Cameroon in the final round of the continental qualifiers.

Cameroon edged fellow West Africa giants Ghana via away goals after a 2-2 draw tied both games three-all in Accra on Saturday.

CAF confirmed that Zimbabwe have since withdrawn after failing to fulfil the first round fixture, despite communication from ZIFA that Cote d’Ivoire were coming for the return leg on Sunday.

ZIFA communications manager, Xolisani Gwesela, yesterday said on the association’s website that CAF will decide on the new dates for the match after Cote d’Ivoire did not come as they expected.

However, the continental football body made it clear the campaign was over for Rosemary Mugadza and her charges.

There was also no joy for African champions Nigeria. For the second successive time, the Super Falcons will be absent when the roll call for Olympic Games is conducted.

The reigning African champions crashed out of the penultimate round of the continental qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, after suffering a 2-1 loss to rivals Equatorial Guinea last Sunday in Malabo.

A 1-1 draw in regulation time kept the tie two-all on aggregate, taking the game into extra time where ‘Nzalang Nacional’ proved stronger.

Two-time African champions, Equatorial Guinea remain on course and will face South Africa, who beat Kenya 1-0 in Machakos near Nairobi, in the final round. Banyana Banyana progressed 2-0 on aggregate. — Sports Reporter/CAF.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey