Futsal Africa: Mauritius walk out of competition; Morocco in Semi-Finals

Mauritius have abruptly left the 2020 CAF Futsal Africa taking place in Morocco after they replaced South Africa who refused to join the competition over the venue in Laâyoune.

The Southern African nation, according to source from the African football governing body, CAF, has decided to quit the competition following pressure from the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Regional bloc also includes the continent power house South Africa which refused to let its team play the championship because of the venue, Laayoune, a coastal city located in the Moroccan Sahara, but disputed by the Front Polisario, a separatist movement backed by Pretoria and Algiers.

Lodged in the same group as the hosting country, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya, Mauritius lost their first match against the Equato-Guineans 4 to 2.

Both South Africa and Mauritius will face tough sanctions from CAF and the world football governing body, FIFA.

Meanwhile, the Moroccan team has qualified for the semi-finals after largely dominating Thursday evening in Laâyoune Equatorial Guinea 8-1.

The tournament began Jan. 28 will run through Feb. 7.