Rwanda appeals against Uganda’s U20 player identity irregularity

Amavubi U20

Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) has lodged a formal complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) accusing Uganda of committing fraud in the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations first round matches.

Rwanda’s U20 side played a 1-all draw against Uganda in the first leg played in Kigali on April 2 before heading to Kampala for the return leg on April 23 where they lost 2-1 to bow out of the qualifiers 2-3 on aggregate.

In both legs, Uganda fielded Vipers Sports Club, Goal Keeper James Aheebwa who had two different identities-on his club license and national passport, which don’t conform to the standards of qualification of the U20 competition.

The Ferwafa vice president Vedaste Kayiranga confirmed the development to News of Rwanda on Wednesday morning. He said, “Together with our lawyer we accessed the whole issue and lodged a complaint to CAF. CAF has confirmed the receipt of our letter, we will now be waiting for their verdict over the matter,”

On his CAF Champions License with Vipers Sports Club. Aheebwa was born on March 27, 1997 while his passport used in the U20 qualifier against Rwanda, indicated that he was born on May 19, 1998, different to what the CAF Under-20 Regulations stipulate.

In the current CAF under-20 regulations state, chapter 20 (Fraud- Forgery- Administrative error), article 46 states; “Each player must possess a passport containing his photo and giving the full particulars on the player’s age (day, month and year of birth) a player who does not have a passport issued by the competent authorities, shall not be authorised to participate in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

In the case of junior player participating in CAF Inter- Clubs competitions:

a- He will not be qualified to participate in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations if the date of birth indicated in his license is different from the one indicated on his passport.

b- He will not be qualified to participate in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations if the full date of birth (Day, month, and year) is not indicated on his license,”

Match officials who handled both qualifiers are also at fault as they didn’t ensure the application of one of section in chapter 21 (list of players), article 47 which states:

“The commissioner and the referee must forbid any player on the list that does not conform to the standards of qualification of the competition from participation in the match. CAF reserves the right to sanction any failures,”

The matter will be handled by the CAF Appeals Committee tribunal who will give their final verdict over the matter.

Should FERWAFA’s protest be successful, Rwanda U20 will be handed a free ticket to proceed into the second round, vying for a spot to next year’s Zambia Afcon U20 final.