FIFA has agreed to open an investigation into the World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Ghana played on Saturday, according to reports.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) had lodged a complaint against the match referee – Maguette Ndiaye, who awarded a controversial penalty, leading to a 1-0 win for Ghana.
South Africa made a “formal complaint” to FIFA after the match, appealing for a replay after a series of “questionable decisions”, according to the Chief Executive of their football association.
Ghana reached the African World Cup play-offs courtesy of their win, which came after a controversial penalty was awarded.
Ghana’s Daniel Amartey went down in the South Africa box following a minimal contact from defender Rushine de Reuck and the match official awarded a penalty, which Andre Ayew scored to send Ghana through.
The Bafana Bafana needed a draw to reach the third round of qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
SAFA Chief Executive Tebogo Mothlante said: “The match officials have decided the game, which is not what is supposed to happen.
“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.
“We have already registered with the match commissioner that we will be making a formal complaint.”
He added: “We are very disheartened by their actions and we can’t let it destroy the players — when we have the chance to challenge, we will challenge.
“We feel very much robbed because it is not an isolated incident of a penalty. There are just a lot of questionable decisions by match officials and we will get an expert to dissect other incidents, so we can make a strong case.”
FIFA in a statement said: “FIFA has received a complaint from the South African FA in relation to this matter and will review it. Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage.”
