Seven Countries Banned From AFCON: A History of Suspensions, Politics, And Crisis

Seven Countries Banned From AFCON: A History of Suspensions, Politics, And Crisis

By Niyi Busari 

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) stands as the premier stage for African football, bringing together the continent’s elite teams and capturing global interest. However, the tournament’s rich history has not been without controversy. Political turmoil, governance failures, and health emergencies have at times forced the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to suspend or ban national teams from taking part in the competition. To date, seven countries have faced exclusion from AFCON at various times, each under distinct circumstances.

Morocco, the host of the 2025 AFCON, is one of the nations previously sanctioned. The North African country was banned from the 2017 and 2019 editions after withdrawing from hosting the 2015 tournament due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak. CAF issued fines and imposed a two-tournament suspension, underscoring the weight of hosting obligations and the potential consequences of last-minute withdrawals.

Nigeria has also found itself on the receiving end of CAF sanctions. In 1996, political interference under the regime of General Sani Abacha led to Nigeria’s withdrawal from the tournament despite qualifying. The edition was notable for being the first to host an expanded field of 16 teams. Nigeria’s abrupt exit reduced the number of participating nations to 15 and resulted in a CAF suspension that barred the Super Eagles from the next edition.

South Africa endured the longest and most infamous exclusion in AFCON history. Under apartheid, the country was expelled from African football, with CAF officially banning the national team from 1958 until 1992. This decades-long suspension prevented South Africa from appearing in 18 consecutive AFCON tournaments and reflected the broader political isolation the state faced during the period.

In recent years, issues of governance and state interference have continued to affect AFCON participation. Zimbabwe and Kenya were barred from the 2023 AFCON qualifiers following FIFA and CAF suspensions triggered by governmental meddling in their football associations. Sierra Leone faced a similar fate during the 2019 qualifiers as internal disputes and political involvement in the football federation led to disqualification. Chad was also removed from the 2017 qualification campaign after withdrawing from the competition.

These cases highlight the complex intersection between politics, governance, public health, and sport in Africa. While AFCON remains a celebration of talent and unity, its history also serves as a reminder that football cannot be fully separated from the challenges faced by the nations it represents.