GFA & SAFA’s Controversy Over World Cup Qualifying Match
Rouse has sparked between Ghanaian & South African Football Associations following both teams’ final round of the qualifiers to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday, November 14th, 2021.
After Bafana Bafana’s 1-0 loss against Ghana’s Black Stars in FIFA World Cup qualification, the South African Football Association (SAFA) filed a formal complaint.
SAFA is attempting to have the game replayed, claiming that they were “robbed” by Senegal referee Maguette Ndiaye and her aides, who awarded the home team a questionable penalty and made several questionable calls.
With South Africa needing a point to win the group, Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey was fouled in their penalty area, causing Ndiaye, who was well positioned, to signal to the spot.
Hugo Broos, the Belgian coach of South Africa, complained that Ndiaye had enabled Ghana to be unduly aggressive in their play while punishing his team for the tiniest contact.
Ghana jumped ahead of their opponents to clinch first place in Group G and advance to the final qualifying stage in March, where they will seek to be one of five African nations to qualify for Qatar 2022.
Read Also Ghana captain Andre Ayew scores on 100th cap to secure 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff spot
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has responded to the allegations, claiming that they are untrue.
“Shocking, irresponsible, and outright disrespect to note that our colleagues from South Africa Football Association (with whom we have good relationships with and mutual sporting respect) have chosen to spread falsehoods to the media rather than project the real picture of events before, during and after the game.” they said in a long press release.
They added that,
“The GFA wishes to state clearly that we will always operate within the FIFA Regulations and focus on our next match which is a play-off against any of the qualified teams we may be paired against.
As a good sporting Association, we know that Bafana Bafana gave it their all but lost to a better team (and must be forthright to tell the South African public this). We wish Bafana Bafana and our colleagues at SAFA better luck next time.”
The final decision on the matter would be decided by FIFA as both parties linger earnestly on the would-be decision of the governing body.
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
