Tanzania's Mtibwa Sugar have pulled out of the African Confederation Cup due to financial difficulties, the country's football federation has said. Mtibwa have cancelled their trip to Cape Town where they had been scheduled to meet South Africa's Santos on Saturday.
The Tanzanians lost the first leg 3-0 in Dar es Salaam two weeks ago.
"The team failed to raise 20 million shillings (US $20,000) required for the trip to Cape Town, but we have warned them that they are going to face stiff penalty for pulling out of the competition," said Charles Masanja of the Football Association of Tanzania (Fat).
"Mtibwa is also likely to be banned from international tournaments for a certain period for failure to show up on Saturday," he added.
Caf spokesman Suleiman Habuba confirmed the sanctions faced by the Tanzanians.
"They face a three year ban from all continental competition and a fine of US $1,500," Habuba told BBC sport.
"They will also have to pay a percantage of the estimated gate receipts for the abandoned match, as part of compensation to the South African club."
Santos will now meet either King Faisal Babes of Ghana or the Zimbabwean side Dynamos in the third round next month.
Mtibwa had pleaded with the government for help but the Youth and Sports ministry said only US $2,000 was available.
Last year, Tanzania's national team failed to travel to Khartoum for the East African Challenge Cup because of financial problems.
MMIX
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