The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a statement ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, handing a big boost to Hugo Broos and South Africa.
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After being hit with a FIFA ban earlier this year for "government interference", further consequences have come Zimbabwe's way ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
As revealed by the African football governing body, Zimbabwe were informed they would have been able to participate in the games had FIFA lifted its suspension on the country. This, unfortunately for the Warriors, has not happened, leaving them out from the qualifying rounds.
East African nation Kenya has received the same punishment for their indiscretions, with CAF releasing a statement explaining that the two groups they were drawn into will continue with only three nations.
"The two associations, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), will be considered losers and eliminated from the competition," it read.
"Groups C and K will be composed only of three teams and the order of the matches will be maintained in accordance with the match schedule that has been communicated to the teams after the draw.
"The first and runner-up teams of those groups will qualify to the final tournament."
This hands South Africa a good opportunity to qualify, with Broos' side now set to compete with Morocco and Liberia for two spots for progression to the tournament.
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