South Africa write to CAF to complain about Liberia ahead of 2023 AFCON qualifiers

The South Africa Football Association (SAFA) has written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to complain about Liberia’s apparent arrangement to move their 2023 AFCON qualifiers home fixtures to Morocco.

Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group K alongside Morocco, Zimbabwe and Liberia in the AFCON qualifiers for the tournament taking place in the Ivory Coast in May and June next year.

As it stands, Liberia doesn’t have stadiums that meet CAF standards and they are forced to move their home games to another country however, SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe says this will be going against fair play principles if it’s allowed.

“We have been informed that Liberia intends to play their group qualifiers matches in Morocco while they are with Morocco in the same group,” reads the letter.

“SAFA hereby raises and officially objects to the arrangement as it goes against the principle of fair play because the Morocco Football Association will travel less and enjoy the benefit of home ground advantage more than anyone in the group.

“We understand the challenges of stadiums in the continent, but we plead that it not be used to disadvantage other countries or give unfair advantage to others.”

The top two finishers in the group qualify for the 24-team tournament.