Esperance du Tunis have successfully pushed through change of match-day for the CAF Champions League round of 32 return match against Kenya’s Gor Mahia from 17th to 18th March, 2018 without the visitors’ knowledge.
The change that can only be effected by CAF Organizing Committee for interclub competitions, has reflected in the CAF Management System; however both Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Gor Mahia are clear that they were not consulted as rules require.
Gor only learnt about it late last night through a letter from Tunisian FA that majored on VISA arrangements for the team.
The hosts, however, tweeted the change of date earlier in the day.
@EsperanceSTunis Vs @OfficialGMFC se jouera dimanche 18/03@EsperanceSTunis Vs @GormahiaLive will be played Sunday 18/03#CAFCL #TOTALCAFCL
— Espérance de Tunis ⭐️⭐️⭐️ الترجي التونسي (@EsperanceSTunis) March 12, 2018
CAF’s official website cafonline.com still shows the game will be on Saturday at Stade Olympique Rades, Tunis.
“We’ve written back to CAF reminding them of their rules that clearly state that any change must be communicated to CAF and both teams have to agree to the change before CAF approves. We await their response,” Frank Ogolla, FKF official, said.
According to the tournament’s regulations III, 3, “The dates fixed for the matches of the various rounds are final and cannot be changed except in case of force majeure recognized as such by CAF Organizing Committee.”
Esperance pushed for the change since arch rivals Club Africain were also booked at the same stadium on the same date with only one difference in kick off times for their CAF Confederations Cup return match against Renaissance Sportive de Berkane.
Gor will travel to Tunis tomorrow Wednesday and according to their travel arrangements, they are supposed to return on Sunday the 18th.
The first leg ended in a barren draw at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, Kenya.
The game’s kickoff time was brought forward by one hour due to the prevailing rainy weather in the country currently, a decision that was communicated to CAF in writing by both teams.
