Brentford and Nigeria international midfielder Frank Onyeka has been given the all clear to play for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final match against Ivory Coast despite picking up his second yellow card of the tournament yesterday.
Onyeka was booked in the final group game against Guinea-Bissau making his booking yesterday in the 4-3 semi final win over South Africa his second of the tournament, leading to reports that he will be suspended for the final.
However, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively report that the 26 year old won’t be suspended for the final on Sunday per the amended tournament rules by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) two years ago.
The rules says all bookings picked up in the group stages will be wiped off before going into the knock out rounds of the tournament.
Below is an extract from CAF’s website clearing Onyeka who has played in every game for Nigeria at the AFCON to play against the host in the final game of the tournament.
‘’ Article 42.2: The cautions received during the matches qualifying phase shall not be taken into account for the matches of the final tournament. At the end of the first phase of the final tournament (group matches), all cautions received shall be cancelled for the rest of the competition. Nevertheless, a player having collected two yellow cards will sustain the one match suspension.’’
“The waiver however does not apply to Players who have been expelled during the Group stages as they will serve their punishment and cannot take advantage of Article 42.2 of Chapter 17 of the AFCON Regulations”.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
