After declaring Gabon’s elimination in favour of Cameroon, the Confederation of African Football has reversed its decision.

On 8 June, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeals panel ruled in favour of the appeal lodged by the Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) to protest against its elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U23, which kicks off in Morocco at the end of this month. This decision once again eliminates the Lion Cubs of Cameroon from the competition.

The whole affair stemmed from a protest by the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) against Fegafoot following the match between Cameroon and Gabon on 25 March, which qualified the young Panthers for this year’s CAN U23. Fecafoot disputed the age of a Gabonese player.

This turned out to be a simple error rather than age fraud. Except that the CAF disciplinary panel examining Cameroon’s reserve eliminated Gabon on the grounds of an administrative error sanctioned by the competition’s rules. This decision by the disciplinary panel has now been overturned on appeal. Fegafoot was quick to issue a statement claiming victory.