Kenya's Harambee Starlets will take part in the 2019 African Women Cup of Nations following Equatorial Guinea’s disqualification from the competition.
Starlets lost 3-2 on aggregate to Equatorial Guinea in the final qualifying round, but Confederation of African Football upheld Kenya’s appeal on players’ eligibility. Guinea were found to have fielded ineligible players in the qualifier.
The decision follows a disciplinary board hearing held at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
On June 9, 2018, Kenya submitted an official protest before Match no. 30, Equatorial Guinea vs Kenya which was played in the frame of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations-Ghana 2018.
Kenya was protesting the eligibility of six players, however, they only maintained their protest regarding one player: Anette Jacky Messomo. The player in question was alleged of Cameroonian nationality and had played for several European based clubs.
Equatorial Guinea was disqualified based on Confederation of African Football statutes and regulations.
Besides being disqualified from the tournament, Guinea was also given a further fine of 10, 0000 US dollars. This means that Starlets will be returning to the continental stage for the second time following their bow in 2016.
This year's AFCON championship will be played in Ghana between November 17 and December 1.