A 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign which started with much promise for Bafana Bafana is in danger of ending in a whimper after they were docked three points by FIFA.
South Africa suffered back-to-back defeats against the Cape Verde on Friday and Tuesday night to leave their hopes of qualifying for Russia next year hanging in the balance, although two consecutive draws between Burkina Faso and Senegal had left coach Stuart Baxter and his men with an outside chance.
However, any faint hopes of qualifying were all but ended with the announcement by FIFA on Wednesday night that Bafana’s match against Senegal, the second game of their campaign and to date their only win (2-1), was to be declared null and void, with a replay being ordered for November.
This is due to the lifetime ban of the referee who was in charge in Polokwane that day, Joseph Lamptey, who awarded the home nation a rather controversial penalty, which was dispatched by Thulani Hlatshwayo for the opening goal.
FIFA’s statement read:
“The Bureau for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers ordered a replay of the qualification match between South Africa and Senegal held on 12 November 2016. This decision follows the confirmation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to uphold the lifetime ban of match referee, Joseph Lamptey, for match manipulation, the ruling imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary and Appeal Committees.
“The match will be replayed within the November 2017 international window, with the exact date to be confirmed in due course.
“As stated in the FIFA World Cup regulations, this decision shall come into effect immediately but shall be subject to confirmation by the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions at its next meeting, scheduled for 14 September.”
The Group D standings, after the alteration, see Burkina Faso and Cape Verde leading the way with six points each, with those two sides having two matches to play.
Senegal (who like South Africa now have three games left) are on five points and as such now have a good shot at winning the group, while Bafana has only one point.
Bafana Bafana will need to beat Burkina Faso and Senegal at home, as well as Senegal in Dakar, to have any chance of sneaking into the World Cup finals next year. But on current form, and with the lack of fight and purpose shown in the recent games against the Blue Sharks, it looks as if another World Cup may be about to pass by without South Africa’s presence. – African News Agency (ANA)
