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Democratic Republic of Congo have pulled out of a regional qualifying tournament for the 2023 Under-17 African Cup of Nations after 25 out of 40 players failed mandatory age testing.

It comes after the saga rocked Cameroon earlier this month, with a total of 32 players failing tests which had been ordered by Samuel Eto'o, the president of the country's football association.

A statement from the Congolese football federation (FECOFA) said they were forced to withdraw after 'only 15 were eligible and 25 failed of the 40 players submitted for MRI testing.'

However, of the 15 players who passed the age test, the statement also revealed that 'only five managed to complete the necessary administrative formalities' that would have allowed them to travel to Cameroon.

BBC Sport Africa reported that Cameroon found 30 replacement players in a race against time to take part in the qualifiers for the U17 AFCON.