Posted On Monday, 4th March 2013
Saif Ali Sudan was ineligible to play for Sudan in their qualifier against Zambia last June
Sudan have lost top spot in its 2014 World Cup qualifying group after sport’s highest court stripped a victory against Zambia for fielding an ineligible player, meaning Ghana are at risk of missing out to Brazil. This means the Black Stars must win the remainder of the qualifiers in Group against Sudan, Lesotho and Zambia.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it rejected the Sudanese Football Association’s appeal against a FIFA ruling to award Zambia a 3-0 win by default.
CAS says Sudanese officials “couldn’t not be aware of the fact that” Saif Ali was suspended and ineligible to face Zambia last June.
Ali scored in Sudan’s 2-0 win in Khartoum, four months after being sent off when the same teams played an African Cup of Nations quarterfinal.
The court’s ruling puts Zambia top with six points from two matches, three ahead of Ghana. Sudan falls to third with one point. Lesotho also has one point.
Ghana, now second on the log with three points, will need to win its two-legged ties with Sudan and an away match to Lesotho. Ghana could be fancied to beat Lesotho away and Sudan at home. However, beating Sudan at its home is a herculean task. The decider appears to be the Zambia –Ghana clash to be hosted by Ghana. Chipolopolo has the luxury of drawing this game or even losing it, provided Ghana stumbles away to Sudan or Lesotho and that’s assuming Zambia maintains a 100% record.