The second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round fixture between Ghana’s Asante Kotoko and FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania has been called off again following health issues in the camp of Nouadhibou.
Upon a second covid-19 case test of the two sides, Asante Kotoko’s reports were ready and the players were cleared to play. However, the results of FC Nouadhibou showed two players test positive for the virus, reducing the number of players they came to Ghana with from 16 to 14.
The Match Commissioner gave them up to 16:00 GMT to provide the mandatory minimum of 15 players required to play a match, but they failed to do so and the match commissioner has called the game off for the second time. Consequently, Asante Kotoko have been declared winners of the game according to reports gathered by ghanasportsapage.com.
Asante Kotoko is yet to make statement on the situation likewise FC Nouadhibou. The match Commissioner’s reports will have the final say as to the final status of the game, but the CAF Regulations for the Champions League competition states it clear, that in a case where a club is unable to provide the requisite number of players for a game, the other club (opponent) will be declared winners of the said game.
Asante Kotoko have been declared winners and given a walkover. They have therefore qualified to the next stage where they will face Al Hilal Omdurman.