By Jon Essien
Africa football governing body, the Confederation of African Football has declared an age manipulation case filed by DR Congo’s Football Association against Gabonese international Guelor Kangar null and void.
Guelor was investigated over an alleged identity fraud after DR Congo – who failed to qualify for the 2021 AFCON for the first time since 2017, protested about his eligibility claiming he had lied about his age.
FECOFA had moved that the “32 -year old” who claimed he was born in 1990 reportedly lost his mum in 1985 – 36 years ago. Thus, the variance in his age claims.
However, CAF disciplinary committee ruled on the matter stating FECOFA failed to present its evidences to prove its claim thus discarded the file.
Kanga has been playing CAF competitions with the Gabon national team since 2018. Not only that, but has also been playing inter club competitions in the country.
According to CAF, the evidence forwarded by FECOFA on Kanga’s falsification of his age and nationality are not valid. It is with this that the case was rejected by CAF.
Ruling on the case after an investigation, CAF’s disciplinary committee said;
“The proof offered by Fecofa was not convincing nor sufficient to establish identity fraud by Fegafoot.
“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.”
Meanwhile, FECOFA has said that it will be discussing a further appeal against CAF dismissal of its claim.
