SAFA has made an official statement on the way forward regarding Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifier game against Ghana. The South Africans fell victim to what has been termed by many in the footballing fraternity as “a series of dubious decisions” by Senegalese referee, Maquette Ndiaye. The CEO of the South African Football Association, Tebogo Montlante said in his statement. “The match officials have decided the game, which is not what is supposed to happen.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“We will be writing to both Caf (the Confederation of African Football) and [World Governing Body] FIFA- firstly to investigate how the game was handled and secondly, to challenge some of these decisions.” He continued[/perfectpullquote]
“We have already registered with the match commissioner that we will be making a formal complaint” he added. Bafana Bafana went to the game as leaders of Group G and only needed a draw in order to make it through to the last round of the qualifiers. The penalty that led to the goal came from a slight touch that was later on revealed to be a dive by Leicester City midfielder, Danniel Amartey.
Mothlante explained SAFA’s concerns over the legitimacy of both the decision and the display of the officiating team from Senegal.
In what can be termed as a strange turn of events it was a Senegalese team that protested their 2018 World Cup qualifier match against South Africa in a game that was officiated by now banished Ghanaian referee, Joseph Lamptey in a game that Bafana won by 2 goals to 1. Senegal protested the results and FIFA ordered that the game be replayed.
Monthlante, SAFA and South African fans will be hoping that they can be afforded the same opportunity as Senegal in what would spell the end of the referee, Ndiaye’s career should the same ruling be taken.
