Okwahu, Six Others banned from African club competitions

Seven clubs have been given three-year bans for failing to fulfil fixtures in this year's three annual African club competitions, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Thursday. Under new rules imposed last year, all the clubs are banned from participating in continental competition for the next three years and fined US$1500.

The clubs are Atletico (Burundi), Okwahu United (Ghana), Matchedje (Mozambique), Katsina United (Nigeria), Simba FC (Rwanda), Sporting Praia Cruz (Sao Tome e Principe) and Military Police of Uganda.

Most withdrew because they could not afford their air fares to travel to away matches.

Military Police did travel away in the first round of the African Cup Winners' Cup against Nkana FC of Zambia but then pulled out of the second leg at home because of the estimated US$17,000 it would have cost to host the visitors and match officials for the return match in Uganda.

Sporting Praia Cruz refused to play the second of their Cup Winners' Cup preliminary round, second leg game after opponents Gazelle of Chad arrived late.

The Sao Tome e Principe side were seeking a walkover but CAF found that Gazelle had extenuating circumstances for arriving only on the day of the match and after the appointed kickoff time. Sporting refused to play a rearranged match.