Simba back in Champions League

African defending champions TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo have been disqualified from the Orange Champions League group stage for fielding ineligible player, CAF website reported yesterday.

Following a complaint filed by Simba Sports of Tanzania following match 68 of the Orange Champions League, the Confederation of African Football launched an investigation on the eligibility of TP Mazembe’s player Janvier Besala Bokungu.

The findings of the investigation were submitted to the Organising Committee for CAF Interclubs Competitions.

Based on those findings, the Organising Committee decided to disqualify TP Mazembe on the basis of Chapter VIII (Fraud), article 24, article 26 (qualification of players) and article 29 of Orange CAF Champions League regulations.

The Organising Committee decided as well that the replacement will be made after a play-off match, to be played next week in a neutral venue, between Simba SC and Wydad of Casablanca.