CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) – Niger have been kicked out of the Under-17 world championship later this year after fielding an over-age player in the region’s qualifying tournament at the weekend, the Confederation of African Football said.

CAF said an investigation found a 22-year-old player competing for Niger at the qualifying tournament in Algeria.

Niger, who had qualified for the world championship in Nigeria by virtue of reaching the semi-finals of the African Under-17 tournament, have had their place taken by Malawi.