Enugu Rangers protest against Egyptian side Zamalek for fielding an ineligible player in their CAF Champions League tie will be thrown out by the Confederation of African Football, Owngoalnigeria.com understands.
Zamalek thrashed Enugu Rangers 1-4 in Egypt last weekend in their first leg final CAF Champions League qualifiers tie, but the Nigerians protested that Zamalek fielded an ineligible player in Hossam Paulo, who incidentally scored one of the goals.
Rangers sent a protest to CAF complaining that Hossam Paulo is not eligible for the tie as he is also registered by Smouha, for their CAF Confederation Cup games this season, citing a provision of the competition rules which states that a player can not play for different teams in CAF club tournaments in same season.
However, Africa football expert Lofti Wada dismissed Rangers protest as a ruse, and clearly explained why it would be thrown out by CAF in an exclusive chat with Owngoalnigeria.com.
” Hossam Paulo was registered by Zamalek for their CAF Champions League campaign on the 30th of January with Zamalek paying the usual fine for late registration”, Lofti told Owngoalnigeria.com.
” Although he was in Smouha’s list for the CAF Confederations Cup, but he didn’t play in any of their games, which makes him logically eligible to play for Zamalek. If he had played for Smouha, Zamalek would’ve been kicked out by CAF.
” Moreover two weeks before their game against Rangers, Zamalek asked CAF if their late registered players would be allowed to play in the round of 16, and CAF gave them the green light as there’s now a single round, which is the round of 16 if you’re given a bye like the case of Zamalek”.
From Lotfi’s explanation Enugu Rangers will now focus on overturning the 1-4 loss they suffered in Egypt, when Zamalek visit them in Enugu this weekend for the return tie.
*Prince Michael
