The Taifa Stars of Tanzania have officially been cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). CAS announced on Tuesday that it has dismissed the appeal filed by the Guinean Football Federation (FEGUIFOOT) that sought to overturn Tanzania's qualification for the tournament. Guinea argued that Tanzania should be disqualified because they fielded a player wearing the wrong shirt number during their AFCON qualifying match on November 19, 2024, a game which the Taifa Stars won 1-0. Guinea claimed that this error created an unfair tactical advantage and that the match result should be forfeited 3-0 in their favor, thereby granting them the spot at AFCON. However, CAS ruled that the incident was purely an administrative error with no sporting impact. This decision confirms the earlier ruling made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and definitively rejects Guineas request to replace Tanzania at AFCON 2025. With the appeal dismissed, Guineas attempt to overturn the result is now closed, allowing Tanzania to continue its tournament preparations without any further challenge. The Taifa Stars are drawn in Group C alongside the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, and regional rivals the Cranes of Uganda. Tanzania is scheduled to face Nigeria in their opening fixture in Fez on Tuesday, December 23.
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