South Sudan have been eliminated from the 2023 TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria after five of their players failed MRI test.
The young Bright Stars were hoping to make their debut AFCON U17 appearance in Group C before the outcome of the MRI test which automatically disqualifies them.
“It’s very unfortunate that our Bright Star Junior has been ruled out of TotalEnergies U17 African Cup of Nations 2023, taking place in Algeria—after five of it’s players didn’t meet the eligibility criteria for the competition,” South Sudan FA announced with a lengthy note.
They insisted that the five players who failed the MRI test meet the age criteria while two of them passed the MRI test they had before the CECAFA regional qualifiers in 2022.
It’s very unfortunate that our Bright Star Junior has been ruled out of TotalEnergies U17 African Cup of Nations 2023, taking place in Algeria—after five of it’s players didn’t meet the eligibility criteria for the competition. @CAF_Online pic.twitter.com/S2fjnLZnD7
— South Sudan Football Association (@ssfa_com) April 29, 2023
South Sudan qualified for the tournament in Algeria after reaching the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers last year, but they lost to Somalia.
Their elimination leaves Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso as the three teams in Group C.
