Ethiopia’s suspension from FIFA has resulted in its dismissal from the qualifiers for the 2010 Men’s World Cup. FIFA ruled on FRI 12 SEP 2008 to disqualify Ethiopia, which had been suspended as a result of a dispute over the leadership of the Ethiopian Football Federation, and annul all of their matches in CAF second round Group 8. The beneficiaries of this decision are Rwanda, now the fifth team to earn a place in the third round. Even if Morocco defeat Mauritania to take first place on the group’s last day, Rwanda’s nine points from four matches will see them through as one of the top eight second placed teams.

The 2010 Men’s World Cup qualifier between Ethiopia and Morocco, scheduled for SUN 07 SEP 2008, has been postponed due to Ethiopia’s suspension. The Ethiopian Football Federation was suspended on TUE 29 JUL 2008 after it failed to implement a roadmap, negotiated by FIFA and CAF, intended to resolve a dispute involving the EFF’s leadership. The fate of the match and of CAF Group 8 is still to be decided.