Age cheating scandal rages on as DR Congo withdraw from Africa U17 Cup

The Democratic Republic of Congo has withdrawn from a regional qualifier for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after 25 out of 40 players failed mandatory age tests.

It comes after the saga rocked Cameroon earlier this month when a total of 32 players failed tests ordered by Samuel Eto’o, president of the country’s football association.

A statement from the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) said they were forced to withdraw after “only 15 were eligible and 25 out of the 40 players submitted for MRI tests failed”.

DR Congo have withdrawn from the Africa Cup of Nations Under-17 after 25 players failed age tests

However, of the 15 players who passed the age test, the statement also said that “only five managed to complete the necessary administrative formalities” that would have allowed them to travel to Cameroon.

BBC Sport Africa reported that Cameroon have found 30 substitutes to take part in AFCON U17 qualifiers in a race against time.

Unlike those who failed, all 30 players passed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests in Douala.

The tests are used to determine a player’s age by scanning their wrists and measuring bone growth.

Due to DR Congo’s withdrawal, the Indomitable Lions are unable to start the January 12 tournament as planned.

Four countries – Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Chad and Central African Republic – will now take part in the qualifying competition, with the Union of Football Associations of Central Africa (UNIFFAC) rescheduling matches to January 12-24.

Cameroon were forced to find 30 players after 32 MRI tests ordered by national association president Samuel Eto’o also failed

Two teams then reach the finals of the U17 Nations Cup in Algeria in April.

UNIFFAC told the BBC: “It’s an organizational nightmare because we need to quickly develop a new format that includes four nations instead of the original five.

“We are pleased that after the MRI scans all four nations now have a team.”

Cameroon’s governing body Fecafoot said in a statement that Eto’o had issued “strict instructions” for conducting the tests “to put an end to the manipulation of civil records, which has historically tarnished Cameroon’s image of Cameroonian football.”

They added: “Fecafoot urges all stakeholders, especially educators, to ensure that age per category is respected.”

Age fraud has long been a problem for African football, with many of its international successes at youth level being marred by allegations of aging players.

Allegations were made regularly, but there seemed to have been little attempt by the authorities to investigate.

Age or identity fraud remains a concern for African football as a whole

Cameroon were twice African champions at U17 level and Fecafoot had previously prevented 14 players from participating in the 2017 U17 AFCON tournament after failing MRT tests instituted by FIFA at the 2009 U17 World Cup.

Over the summer, Cameroon’s football federation summoned 44 players from eight different clubs to a hearing over alleged age or identity fraud, highlighting their attempts to resolve the issue.

After the first 21 of the 32 players failed the tests, Fecafoot outlined their nation’s position following the failed tests.

They had said: “The Football Federation of Cameroon informs the public that as part of the preparations for the UNIFFAC Limbe 2023 tournament, which qualifies for the next Africa U17 Nations Championship, 21 out of 30 players currently in training failed the result are MRI tests.

“They were immediately removed from the group. Steps were taken immediately to replace them.

“This action is the result of strict instructions from the President of FECAFOOT, acting on behalf of the COMEX, to put an end to the falsification of civil registration documents, which in the past have tarnished the image of the umbrella organization of Cameroonian football. FECAFOOT urges all stakeholders, especially educators, to ensure that age by category is respected.’