CAF Throws out Gambian Club’s Appeal

Ducor Sports can confirm that Confederation of African Football has rejected the appeal of Gambian league holders, Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) appeal.

GPA filed an appeal to the continent’s football governing body against DR Congo’s Vita Club.

Ports accused The Dolphins of DR Congo of fielding an ineligible player in the two-legged tie of their meeting.

The saga began with the Gambian outfit exploring a lapse used by Mamelodi Sundowns which triggered CAF to disqualify Vita Club last year.

South Africa’s Mamelodi lost to Vita but lodged an appeal contesting the eligibility of Vita player Francis Obama Ondo, who it was later found out, had falsified his documents with The Brazilians eventually winning the African championship.

Ports counted on this lapse and did not hesitate report to immediately report to CAF when Vita used Ondo who in fact, scored the visitors’ equalizing goal during the first-leg in Banjul.

However, the continent’s football governing body this time, refrained from punishing Vita twice for the same offence, throwing out GPA’s appeal.

The dock side Gambian outfit eventually lost on a final 3-1 aggregate and, in the face of rejection of their appeal, they will now have to contend with playing in the Confederation Cup (CC) instead.

The Banjul club wouldn’t volunteer to explain what grounds the appeal was turned down but Ducor Sports understands it will have to play in the CC play-offs.

Already, Ports is in camp preparing to host Sudan’s Al Hilal Obayed this Sunday for the first-leg.

Featured photo: Courtesy of CAF