CAF fines Angolan Football Federation $10,000 for anthem mishap

One sentence summary – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) $10,000 for failing to play the Niger national anthem during a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, citing a breach of international standards set by FIFA.

At a glance

• CAF fined FAF $10,000 for not playing Niger national anthem during CAN qualifying match
• Angolan team already qualified for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite anthem mishap
• Angola defeated Niger 2-0 at November 11 Stadium in Luanda
• Failure to play national anthem seen as breach of CAF regulations
• Incident serves as reminder of importance of adhering to international football protocols

The details

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) $10,000 due to a failure to play the Niger national anthem during a qualifying match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN).

The fine was imposed because the visiting team’s anthem was not played at the November 11 Stadium in Luanda, due to an organizational failure, violating international standards set by FIFA for matches between national teams.

Despite the error, the Angolan team has already qualified for the African continental competition, which will be held between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026, in Morocco.

Match Outcome

At the time of the error, the Angolan team defeated Niger 2-0.

The CAF, the governing body of African football, has strict regulations regarding the conduct of international matches, including the playing of national anthems before the start of each game.

The failure to play the Niger national anthem is seen as a breach of these regulations, leading to the imposition of the fine on the FAF.

Stadium Incident

The November 11 Stadium in Luanda, where the incident occurred, is one of the largest football venues in Angola and has hosted numerous international matches in the past.

The Angolan team’s victory over Niger, despite the anthem mishap, has secured their place in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament, which is one of the most prestigious in African football, will be held in Morocco, marking another significant milestone in the nation’s sporting history.

The Angolan team’s participation in the tournament, following their successful qualification, is a testament to their performance and standing in African football.

The incident involving the Niger national anthem is a rare occurrence in international football, where the playing of national anthems is a long-standing tradition and a mark of respect for the participating teams.

The fine imposed by the CAF serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the established protocols and regulations in international football.

The Angolan Football Federation has not yet released a statement regarding the fine or the incident at the November 11 Stadium.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will feature teams from across the continent, all vying for the prestigious title and the opportunity to represent Africa in the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The Angolan team’s next steps, following their successful qualification and the incident involving the Niger national anthem, will be closely watched by fans and observers of African football.

The incident at the November 11 Stadium in Luanda is a reminder of the importance of attention to detail in the organization of international football matches, and the potential consequences of failing to adhere to established protocols.

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