2023 AFCON: South Africa’s qualifying chances boosted after CAF upheld FIFA’s ban on Zimbabwe and Kenya

South Africa’s chances of qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast have been boosted after the Confederation of African Footba (CAF) upheld FIFA’s ban on Zimbabwe and Kenya.

The two countries have suspended due to political interference in their football associations.

CAF initially included them in the AFCON draw in April on the condition that the suspension must be lifted two weeks before their first match day but Zimbabwe who were grouped with South Africa, Morocco and Liberia, will now drop out of the 2023 AFCON qualifying stages.

“As a consequence of having failed to have their suspensions by FIFA set aside, CAF has confirmed that both Kenya and Zimbabwe will not participate in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 qualifiers,” a statement on the CAF website read.

“The qualifiers will kick off on the first day of June 2022.

“CAF had included them in the official draw earlier in April 2022 on the condition that the suspension must be lifted two weeks before their first match day.

“Kenya and Zimbabwe, suspended for political interference, have not yet met the criteria required by the FIFA congress as a prerequisite for lifting their suspension.”

The 1996 AFCON champions failed to qualify for the last edition in Cameroon – Bafana Bafana last appearance was in 2019 when they reached the quarter-finals in Egypt.