Dramatic twist: Congo returns to CHAN 2025!

Africa 18 June 2025 at 09:40

Mohamed Rek

News Editor

In a stunning turn of events that reshuffles the deck for the 2025 African Nations Championship, the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to reinstate Congo’s national team for the final phase of the competition.

Meeting on Tuesday, June 17 in Cairo, the committee overturned the disciplinary decision from May 27, which had initially awarded qualification to Equatorial Guinea. The latter had benefited from a favorable verdict after reporting "administrative irregularities" within the Congolese squad.

The Appeals Committee rules in Congo's favor

Congo’s disqualification was handed down after an official complaint from Equatorial Guinea, who accused the Congolese side of fielding an ineligible player, striker Japhet Mankou (22), and submitting licenses deemed invalid for other players.

The initial verdict imposed a $10,000 fine on the Congolese federation and awarded forfeit wins to Equatorial Guinea for both legs of the playoff.

But following a review, the Appeals Committee ultimately upheld the results achieved on the pitch (0-0 in the first leg, 2-1 in the return in Congo’s favor), officially qualifying the Red Devils for the CHAN 2025 finals at the expense of Equatorial Guinea.

Congo now joins Group D alongside Senegal, Sudan, and Nigeria in a tournament scheduled for August 2 to 30, 2025, jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

See also: CAN 2025: The European Union, new sponsor of the competition! (Official)