Kenya's Football Federation (FKF) has failed in its bid to be reinstated to the 2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2018 AWCON) after losing its appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Kenya had filed an appeal to CAS after they were excluded from Ghana 2018 following a successful appeal by Equatorial Guinea.

On October 18, Equatorial Guinea were banned for using an ineligible player in qualifying, with Kenya replacing them at Ghana 2018.

But a Confederation of African Football (Caf) tribunal overturned that punishment on 7 November, reinstating Equatorial Guinea.
In a statement on Friday, the FKF confirmed that CAS had rejected their appeal to "incorporate Kenya into the Women's Nations Cup or failing this, to injunct and suspend the entire tournament until a rightful decision has been made."

Kenya's Federation president, Nick Mwendwa, had told BBC Sport on Wednesday that if the appeal went against Kenya, they would seek a financial settlement.

The FKF confirmed on Friday that its appeal against Caf is still open and it would continue to fight at CAS.

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Ghana on Saturday 17 November with eight teams vying for the trophy.

Hosts Ghana will kick off the tournament against Algeria at the Accra Sports Stadium on the opening day, with Cameroon and Mali also in their group.

In Group B, the reigning champions Nigeria - the most successful team in the history of the competition with eight titles from ten editions - will open against South Africa on 18 November in Cape Coast.

Equatorial Guinea and Zambia will also play in Group B.

The final will take place on Saturday, December 1.