Bafana Bafana slip in FIFA rankings as wait for appeal verdict goes on

Bafana Bafana have slipped to 68th in the latest FIFA world rankings following the controversial defeat against Ghana.

Needing only to avoid defeat to advance to the next round of 2022 Soccer World Cup qualifying, Bafana Bafana 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.

Ndiaye spotted a foul by Rushine De Reuck in the box that no one else in the ground – or watching around the world – did.

It also led to Hugo Broos’ first defeat in charge of Bafana Bafana and yet another failed campaign to qualify for a World Cup.

The verdict related to the complaint is expected to be announced in the coming weeks with SAFA making it clear that they believe Bafana Bafana should be granted a replay of the Group G fixture against the Black Stars.

However, the result has seen Bafana Bafana drop a couple of spots to 68th in the latest men’s FIFA world rankings that have been released.