The Confederation of African Football (Caf) set a precedent when it booted defending champions Kaizer Chiefs out of the Mandela Cup and now the same could happen to Reunion side Jeanne d'Arc who failed to travel to Madagascar due to political unrest in that country.

If Jeanne d'Arc, who convincingly won the first leg 3-1 at home, are booted out this could see US Transfoot progressing to the next round without kicking a ball. This according to outspoken Chiefs PRO Putco Mafani would be tantamount to a “free ride to the Mandela Cup final".

“We are watching developments with keen interest,” said Mafani. “It would be interesting to see what steps will be taken by Caf as Reunion failed to travel under similar circumstances as in our case.”

Transfoot were handed a bye into the second round despite going down 4-0 in the first leg after Amakhosi’s case was thrown out of the window by Caf, who insisted that the Glamour Boys should have traveled despite the political unrest in Madagascar.

The Reunion side were expected in Madagascar on Sunday but the match was postponed after Jeanne d'Arc failed to arrive. Soccer officials in the eastern port city of Toamasina said the match was postponed because airport authorities refused the plane carrying Jeanne d'Arc permission to land.

However, officials in the capital said the Reunion team had not come to the island because they feared the political crisis might disrupt air travel, leaving them stranded in Madagascar.