CAF Suspends Liberia!
-Barrolle & BYC Not In Competition

 By Roland M. Mulbah
rolandmulbah@liberiansoccer.com
 2316714850

The draw for next years Africa Champions League has been released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with no teams from Liberia being mentioned on the fixtures.

According to information gathered, CAF suspended Liberia from all its competitions after failing to settle its financial obligations.

Latest reports say Liberia owes CAF US$12,260.00 from previous competitions which needed to be settled in order to participate in any CAF competition.

The reports further noted that CAF wrote Liberia through the Liberia Football Association on September 13, 2009 concerning said financial obligation.

Another letter of reminder was sent to the LFA from CAF on November 15, 2009 stating if said amount was not paid the country would suffer suspension.

Liberia’s debt ranges from qualifiers, youth competitions, fines and others which amount to US$12,260.00.

With the CAF 2010 club competition fixtures being released, it is not yet clear whether clubs from Liberia will be included in the fixtures if Liberia settles her financial obligations with the parent body of African football.       

Mighty Barrolle and Barrack Young Controller (BYC) were to represent Liberia in this year’s CAF competitions, but the latest suspension has so far denied the two clubs.

In an interview with Mighty Barrolle President, Mr. Garmondeh Karnga concerning the suspension, he told liberiansoccer.com that as far as he is concern under his regime as President of the Rollers, the club has no financial obligation with CAF.

Mr. Karnga noted that Mighty Barrolle made a payment of US$300.00 as registration for this year’s CAF Champions league with additional US$50.00 being paid to send said amount.

When contacted to comment on the latest suspension posed on Liberia by CAF, Mr. Sam Bedford, LFA Acting Secretary General refused to comment on the matter, stating it would be done at a later date.

The first leg matches of the CAF Champions League will be played between the 12 and 14 of February, 2010, while the second round matches will be played in March and April, 2010.

Reigning champions TP Mazembe of the DR Congo have been given a bye into the second round and will play the winner of the game between APR of Rwanda and Recreativo Libolo of Angola.

This year's beaten finalists Heartland of Nigeria also have a bye into round two.

Six-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt will also begin their campaign in round two. Others teams given a bye are Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast, Dynamos of Zimbabwe and Al Hilal of Sudan.

Highlights of the first round include ASC Linguere of Senegal who takes on Asante Kotoko Ghana, while Kenyan champions Sofapaka will make their debut in the competition against Egypt's Ismailia.

Full list of the draw:

First round

APR (RWA) v Recreativo Libolo (ANG)

Djoliba (MLI) v Al-Ahly Benghazi (LBA)

ASC Linguere (SEN) v Asante Kotoko (GHA)

Sofapaka (KEN) v Ismailia (EGY)

Stade Tamponnaise (REU) v Ajesaia (MAD)

BEN entrant v Africa Sports (CIV)

Fello Star (GUI) v Raja Casablanca (MAR)

Ela Nguema (GEQ) v Petro Atletico (ANG)

Sahel (NIG) v Club Africain (TUN)

Armed Forces (GAM) v JS Kabylie (ALG)

CHA entrant v Bayelsa Utd (NGR)

St Georges (ETH) v Al-Merreikh (SUD)

East End Lions (SLE) v Esperance (TUN)

Stade Mandji (GAB) v ASFA Yennenga (BUR)

La Passe (SEY) v Curepipe Starlight (MRI)

Gaborone Utd (BOT) v Orlando Pirates (RSA)

Simba (TAN) v St Eloi Lupopo (COD)

Mafunzo (ZAN) v Gunners (ZIM)

Tempete Mocaf (CAF) v Al-Ittihad (LBA)

Balantas Mansoa (GBS) v Difaa al-Jadida (MAR)

Revenue Authority (UGA) v Zanaco (ZAM)

Sao Tome e Principe entrant v US Douala (CMR)

Diables Noir (CGO) v Entente Setif (ALG)

Vital'O (BDI) v Tiko Utd (CMR)

Mbabane Swallows (SWZ) v SuperSport Utd (RSA)

AC Mitsamiouli (COM) v Ferroviario Maputo (MOZ)

First leg: Feb 12-14, second: Feb 26-28

Second round:

APR or Libolo v Tout Puissant Mazembe (COD, holders)

Djoliba or Benghazi v Linguere or Kotoko

Sofapaka or Ismailia v Tamponnaise or Ajesaia

BEN or Africa Sports v Al-Hilal (SUD)

Fello or Raja v Nguema or Petro

Sahel or Club Africain v Forces or Kabylie

CHA or Bayelsa v Georges or Merreikh

Lions or Esperance v Mandji or Yennenga

Passe or Starlight v Gaborone or Pirates

Simba or Lupopo v Dynamos (ZIM)

Mafunzo or Gunners v Al-Ahly (EGY)

Mocaf or Ittihad v Mansoa or Jadida

Revenue or Zanaco v ASEC Mimosas (CIV)

STP or Douala v Diables or Setif

Vital'O or Tiko v Heartland (NGR)

Swallows or SuperSport v Mitsamiouli or Ferroviario

First leg: March 19-21, second: April 2-4