Agency Report

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has said it will file an official complaint with world football governing body, FIFA, and CAF for a replay of the last World Cup qualifying group game against Ghana in Cape Coast.

Speaking to the media after Sunday’s clash, the chief executive officer of SAFA, Tebogo Motlanthe, said the match was fraught with several infractions.

“So, we as the association have decided that we will be writing to both CAF and FIFA first to investigate how the game had ended and secondly to also challenge some of these decisions.

“I think from our hearts is to say the match officials have decided the game which is not what is supposed to happen,” Motlanthe said.

He said not only does the penalty make them feel robbed but also there were a lot of questions about many decisions by the referee, adding they will engage the services of an expert to gather all the pieces of evidence to make a strong case at FIFA.

Andre Ayew’s first-half effort was the deciding factor as Ghana beat South Africa 1-0 in Cape Coast to qualify for the final round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

The former Swansea City ace converted from the spot to win three valuable points for the Black Stars in the final matchday fixture in Group G. The two teams ended the series with 13 points apiece atop the table but the West Africans’ better goal difference placed them just ahead as group winners.

Ghana head into the third and final round of the series where 10 nations will battle it out for five Qatar tickets in a play-off.