Kenya will after all not feature in the Awcon finals scheduled for Ghana after Confederation African Football (Caf) turned the tables again on Wednesday.
The African body have now stripped off Kenya the rights to participate in the competition and instead, reinstated Equatorial Guinea, who had been struck off for allegedly fielding an ineligible player.
The latest development comes just a day after the Kenyan federation threatened to pull out the Starlets from the tournament owing to luck of funds.
The statement from Caf confirmed, “On November 7, 2018, the Appeal Board of Confédération Africaine de Football held a meeting in order to decide on the appeal of the Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol of the decision of the Disciplinary Council of September 8, 2018.
“Regarding the eligibility protest against player Annette Jacky Messomo durong the match no. 30 Equatorial Guinea vs Kenya played in the frame of the Total African Women’s Cup of Nations 2018, the Appeal Board decided as follows:
1. The appeal lodged by the Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol is admissible;
2. The decision no 001-CAI-08.09.2018 is overruled;
3. The player Annette Jacky Messomo is eligible to play for the National Team of Equatorial Guinea;
4. The National Team of Equatorial Guinea is reintegrated in the Total African Women's Cup of Nations 2018.”
Kenya had appealed against the inclusion of Annette Jacky Messomo in the squad that eliminated the Starlets, and on September 8, the Caf Disciplinary Council ruled in favour of the East African nation.
When reached for comment, FKF Media Officer Barry Otieno told Goal.com that the federation was yet to receive any communication from Caf and they will react once they get the same.
"I am not in a position to comment for now on this matter but once we get an official communication then we will, but if that is the case, it is a blow to us."
Harambee Starlets had been pooled in Group B alongside Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia.