FKF report Equatorial Guinea to Caf over ineligible player

Harambee Starlets players celebrate Tereza Engesha (centre)'s goal against Equatorial Guinea during their 2018 Africa Women's' Cup of Nations second round first leg qualifier at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on June 6, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The visitors fielded Celestina Manga Besecu donning jersey 12, who according to FKF is Cameroonian and her real name is Fadimatou Veronique Nsongone.
  • Manga, whose passport number is F0225452, was introduced in the 52nd minute for Nilagrosa Obono Obiang’.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have reported the Equatorial Guinea women’s team to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) for allegedly fielding an ineligible player during Wednesday's 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (Awcon) second round first leg qualifier.

Harambee Starlets won 2-1 against the Nzalang Nacional at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County as Esse Akida came off the bench to snatch a crucial winner for the hosts.

The visitors fielded Celestina Manga Besecu donning jersey 12, who according to FKF is Cameroonian and her real name is Fadimatou Veronique Nsongone.

Manga, whose passport number is F0225452, was introduced in the 52nd minute for Nilagrosa Obono Obiang’.

Drama started when the visitors abruptly expunged Manga’s name from the first 11 with Obiang’ replacing her minutes to kick-off as the former had allegedly sustained an injury during warm up only to be thrown into the fray seven minutes into the second half.

“We already protested before kick off, we believe we’ve a strong case against them,” FKF media boss Barry Otieno told Nation Sport on Thursday ahead of the return leg on Saturday at Estadio de Bata in Bata.

The West Africans were in October last year banned by the world football governing body, Fifa, from participating in the 2019 Women’s World Cup scheduled for France for fielding 10 ineligible players and using forged documents.

This automatically ruled them out from 2018 Awcon qualifiers since the top three nations at the continental showpiece qualify for the World Cup, but were permitted by Caf Emergency Committee to feature in the qualifiers.

Caf regulations stipulate that a protest - formulated before the match on a proper match form and countersigned by both teams’ captains, should be sent to its secretariat 48 hours after the match accompanied by the payment of a protest right fixed to USD 2000 (approximately Sh200,000) to be returned to the protesting team if the protest is upheld.

Boho Sayo had opened the scoring for the two-time Africa champions in the 38th minute before Vihiga Queens’ Teresa Engesha equalized before the break.

Meanwhile, a squad of 20 Starlets players jetted out Thursday morning to Malabo for the return leg qualification match with David Ouma’s arsenals led by Captain Wendy Achieng’ just a draw away from their second consecutive Awcon.

TRAVELLING SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Poline Atieno (Makolanders), Maureen Shimuli (Wadadia)

Defenders: Wendy Achieng (Spedag), Dorcas Sikobe (Oserian Ladies), Dorris Anyango (Spedag), Elizabeth Ambogo (Spedag), Phelistus Kadari (Vihiga Queens), Lilian Adera (Vihiga Queens), Vivian Nasaka (Vihiga Queens)

Midfielders: Cheris Avilia (Spedag), Sheryl Angachi (Gaspo Youth), Corazon Aquino (Vihiga Queens), Faith Kwamboka (Thika Queens), Caroline Anyango (Spedag)

Forwards: Mwanahalima Adam (Thika Queens), Mercy Achieng (Thika Queens), Neddy Atieno (Makolanders), Esse Akida (Spedag), Teresa Engesha (Vihiga Queens), Cynthia Shilwatso (Vihiga Queens)

Coach: David Ouma