By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SAFA President Danny Joordan says a comprehensive report related to the FIFA World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Bafana Bafana has been handed over the world governing body, FIFA and are waiting to hear from FIFA whether there was match manipulation.
The South African Football Association has lodged a formal complaint to FIFA after Sunday’s crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana which was shrouded in controversy amid a number of questionable refereeing decisions.
FIFA has said it is reviewing the complaint lodged by Safa, but has not given any indication of when a decision will be reached.
Jordaan, alongside CEO Tebogo Motlanthe, Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, captain Ronwen Williams, and defender Rushine De Reuck expressed their views on the Sunday game.
Jordaan explained the decision to ask for former member of the FIFA Panel of International Referees and former referee Andile ‘Ace’ Ncobo’s review: “Was there any deliberate action of the wrong application of the laws in this particular match? We wanted him to demonstrate the point by analysing the referee’s decisions. Did the referee deliberately neglect to take a decision when he was required to in terms of the laws of the game, and did he ignore it with the intent to influence the outcome of a match?”
He added that betting patterns were another matter that they wanted FIFA to investigate.
“If I know (for example) that in the tenth minute that the referee can give a penalty, then there will be a betting spike just before the penalty is given. If that happens … you know. We don’t have the capacity to look at that so we have asked FIFA.
“They have a sports radar that reports patterns in sports betting, an agreement with interpol, they have huge capacity to investigate the matter.”
“We don’t have the capacity to do that [investigation] so we have asked FIFA to do that.”
Jordaan then made damning allegations that there were further advantages to Ghana winning the game outside of football.
“This match was a very decisive match, where Ghana only had one option but to win.
“If Ghana loses this match, there will be major socio-economic problems even for the president of the country.
“There were also other numerous reports stating that Ghana would receive two penalties or at the very least one.
Ncobo went into detail about his analysis of the match referee Maguette Ndiaye’s, showing Ndiaye’s bias, saying 90.9% of incorrect decisions made in the 1-0 win by Ghana, were against one team.
He is adamant that when the report is reviewed by FIFA, they will rule in South Africa’s favour, as there was clear and evident bias from Ngiaye and his officiating team, including the rewarding of the penalty that ultimately gave Ghana the win.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, meanwhile, added that he was even more convinced on reviewing the footage that something was untoward and that he hopes FIFA will order a replay of the game.