Libya FA contest Birori’s nationality

LIBYA Football Association has lodged an appeal with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to disqualify Rwanda from the 2015 Afcon qualifiers over fielding striker Dady Birori-whom the Libyans claim is not a Rwandan. Libya has taken the matter to the continental body a month after Rwanda knocked out the Mediterranean Knights in the first round of the 2015 Afcon qualifiers. “It is true Libya is questioning Birori’s nationality. They believe he is a Congolese and they have taken the matter to Caf,” Rwanda Football Federation Secretary General Olivier Mulindahabi told Times Sport yesterday. Mulindahabi said Ferwafa is ready to respond appropriately If Caf contacts them. “We are prepared to send his national identity card as well as his Rwandan passport proving that Birori is indeed a Rwandan by nationality and has previously featured in the local league for five years,” said Mulindahabi. Libya believes Birori is a Congolese and once featured for Atraco in the Champions League on a Congolese passport in 2009. However, Mulindahabi refuted this assumption adding that Rwanda allows dual nationality. He said having used his Congolese passport doesn’t deny Birori the right to be a Rwandan. In Rwanda, Birori has played for Mukura, Atraco, SC Kiyovu, while in DR Congo he has featured for AS Vita Club, Virunga. He made his international debut for Rwanda in 2009 and has appeared in Fifa World Cup qualifying matches, scoring six goals in 20 international appearances. Last month, the lethal striker bagged a hat-trick as Rwanda stunned Libya 3-0 in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. His goals gave the ‘Wasps’ a 3-0 overall second-round triumph and they face Congo Brazzaville for a Group A slot besides Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan.

Sports

Libya FA contest Birori’s nationality