Africa-Press – Ghana. Needing only to avoid defeat to advance to the next round of 2022 Soccer World Cup qualifying, South Africa were sunk by a 33rd-minute penalty by Ghana skipper Andre Ayew.
However, the controversial officiating during that match in Ghana led to a fierce backlash, with SAFA lodging a forming complaint, asking FIFA to investigate alleged referee bias and match manipulation.
Senegal referee Maguette N’Diaye found himself at the centre of the controversy following his inept performance with the whistle.
N’Diaye made a series of baffling decisions during the Group G clash in Ghana, but none proved more costly than the one to award the Black Stars the ultimately match-winning penalty.
It also led to Hugo Broos’ first defeat in charge of Bafana Bafana and yet another failed campaign to qualify for a World Cup.
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However, despite a severe backlash from SAFA, their complaints did not find favour after it was ruled that the Group G fixture would not be replayed.
The result saw Bafana Bafana drop a couple of spots to 68th in the rankings, and that is where they will finish the year. Belgium end the year as the highest ranked nation, followed by Brazil, France, England and Argentina making up the top five.
South Africa started the year ranked 71st, with their highest position being 66th.
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