DRC will consider further action over Gabon’s Kanga

by Graeme Jackson

Friday May 28, 2021. 09:00

FECOFA, the DR Congo football federation, has revealed that they are considering further action over the alleged ineligibility of Gabonese player Guelor Kanga.

This is in response to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) dismissing FECOFA’s claims that Kanga and Gabon have committed identity fraud and the West African team should lose their place at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Gabon finished second in Group D of the qualifiers for the next AFCON, level on points with fellow finalists Gambia, and one point clear of DRC, who failed to reach the continental finals for the first time 2012.

Had the DRC successfully proved their case, then Gabon (who featured Kanga in all six of their group matches) would likely have been stripped of their spot in the AFCON, with the Leopards as their replacement.

According to BBC Sport, FECOFA allege that Kanga was born in the DRC capital city Kinshasa.

However, their Gabonese counterparts FEGAFOOT have provided documents to prove that Kanga is eligible to play for the Panthers, including a birth certificate for Guelor Kanga Kiaku.

According to CAF, “the proof offered by FECOFA was not convincing nor sufficient to establish” identity fraud by FEGAFOOT”.

It added that the disciplinary panel “did not notice any irregularities in the eligibility of the player in question and his registration with CAF. CAF’s disciplinary panel rejects purely and simply the complaint by FECOFA.”

The DRC federation has the right to appeal against the ruling, but must submit their case within the next two days.