NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya may have qualified for the 2019 Africa Nations Cup tournament after continental governing body CAF called off its match against Sierra Leone scheduled for November 18.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed on Monday that they have been advised by CAF in a statement that there will be no match.
"It is true we have no match scheduled. CAF have called off our match against Sierra Leone set for November 18, as the latter remains banned by world football governing body FIFA," said Nick Mwendwa, FKF president.
Sierra Leone are currently serving an indefinite suspension from all football activities imposed on them by FIFA.
The world football governing body banned Sierra Leone on October 5, over what they termed government interference.
The west African side had beaten Kenya 2-1 in their qualification match in June last year in Freetown. However, Kenya have since redeemed themselves, beating Ghana and Ethiopia to lead Group F with seven points. Last month, Sierra Leone also forfeited back-to-back qualification matches against Ghana.
Kenya needed a win against Sierra Leone on November 18 to guarantee qualification to next year's Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Cameroon from June 2019.
Kenya have not qualified for Africa's premier football competition since the 2004 edition in Tunisia.
CAF said it will offer more explanation on the status of Group F where Kenya lead Ghana and Ethiopia. Both Kenya and Ethiopia have played four matches, while Ghana and Sierra Leone have only played two.
Only the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will qualify for the 2019 finals, which will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 24 teams, up from the previous 16.
