By Peter.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by the Guinean Football Federation (FEGUIFOOT), officially confirming Tanzania’s Taifa Stars qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The ruling, announced Tuesday, November 25, 2025, upholds the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) earlier decision that an administrative shirt number error did not warrant disqualification.
The Dispute: Shirt Number Mix-Up in Qualifier
Guinea challenged Tanzania’s 1-0 victory on November 19, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, alleging defender Muhamed Ibrahim Ame entered the pitch wearing No. 26 instead of his registered No. 24, creating an “unfair tactical advantage.” FEGUIFOOT sought a 3-0 forfeit or Tanzania’s expulsion, claiming the error violated CAF rules and compromised match fairness. The Taifa Stars’ win secured second place in Group H (13 points), edging Guinea (12) and sending them to the playoffs against Morocco.
CAF’s Disciplinary Board (December 19, 2024) deemed the complaint “admissible in form but unfounded in substance,” ruling the number mismatch wasn’t a “major violation.” The Appeals Board upheld this on June 11, 2025, prompting Guinea’s CAS escalation. An in-person CAS hearing in Lausanne on November 17, 2025, ended in unanimous rejection, citing no sporting impact from the administrative error.
Tanzania’s Path to Morocco
Tanzania, returning to AFCON after 2021, tops Group C with Nigeria (Super Eagles), Tunisia (Carthage Eagles), and Uganda (Cranes). Their opener: vs. Nigeria in Fez on December 23, 2025—a rematch of their 1-0 qualifier win. The Taifa Stars, coached by Novar Mbandama, prepare for their first tournament since 2019 (Group D exit).
Guinea, now playoff-bound vs. Morocco, decries the verdict but has exhausted appeals. Full CAS reasoning follows soon.
Tanzania gears up—Group C awaits! 🦁🇹🇿
#AFCON2025 #TaifaStars #CASRuling #TanzaniaVsGuinea
