The Confederation of African Football have explained their decision to order a replay of Kaizer Chiefs’ abandoned CAF Champions League match away to Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club.
Chiefs missed their trip to Casablanca last week Wednesday after the Moroccan government refused the issuing of entry visas to the traveling party over their national health restrictions in relation to the Covid-19 variant strain reported in South Africa.
As a result, Amakhosi’s scheduled Group C fixture against Wydad was ‘abandoned’, with the 2018 continental champions requesting, through the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, to reschedule the match at a neutral venue.
While the continental footballing body’s own Covid-19 contingency rules state that in such a case, a walk-over and 2-0 victory is handed to the team prepared to honour the fixture, a letter has been sent by CAF’s Acting General Secretary Abdelmounain Bah to SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe to explain this “extraordinary” ruling.
“Reference to your letter sent to CAF concerning Match No. 81 [Wydad vs Kaizer Chiefs], we would like to first of all apologise for the incontinences the situation has caused to Kaizer Chiefs,” read the statement signed by Bah.
“As a result of the stricter travel restrictions imposed on South Africa by some countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have experienced more difficulties to organise matches in South Africa.
“As stated in a communication received from the Moroccan federation on the 10th February, the state authorities did not permit the match to be played in the Moroccan territory due to the extra medical health measure taken against travellers from South Africa.
“We consider this an extraordinary situation and as a result, the case was presented to the CAF Organising Committee for inter-club competitions, which has recommended to replay the match in a neutral country, that will be confirmed along with the date and kick-off time, within the coming 24 hours.
“Kaizer Chiefs can submit to CAF the justification of the financial losses they have incurred and we would present it to the concerned committee for their decision on who should bear the cost.
“We rely on your usual understanding and cooperation during this tough period where certain unforeseen measures need to be taken.