Defending COSAFA U17 champions Zambia have been kicked out of the 2016 edition going on in Mauritius for age cheating.
A statement from the Mauritius Football Association (MFA) late Thursday delivered the shoker.
– Zambia, first of Group B, is disqualified from the tournament for fielding a player over 16 years. Thus, Kenya has been drafted for the semifinals and will face South Africa while Malawi cross swords with Namibia. Both games will be played at the St Francis Xavier Stadium on Friday 29 July at 13hrs and 16hrs respectively.
Kenya, on Sunday after heavily losing their group “B” opener against the Southern Africans 4-1 on Friday 22, lodged a formal complaint against the opponent for fielding overage players.
“Kenya will lodge a protest about Zambia fielding an overage player in our 4-0 loss on Friday at the COSAFA U17 championship in Mauritius.” Robert Muthomi FKF CEO tweeted on Sunday.
The focus for the East Africans in their protest is believed to have been on the leading top scorer of the tournament Nicholas Mulilo, even though Muthomi admitted they doubted more. The Zesco prodigy scored twice in the match, and has added more goals in subsequent fixtures.
Nicholas Mulilo, the player believed to be at the center of Zambia’s disqualification.
Kenya beat Madagascar 2-1 before losing 5-0 in their last group match against Malawi to finish third.
@bonfaceosano
