Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka I, Chairman of the World Human Rights Council for Africa and Ghana, claims that the South African Football Association (SAFA) acted with "ignorance" in their legal struggle with Ghana Football Association.
South Africa petitioned FIFA after losing to Ghana in the last round of 2022 World Cup qualifying, accusing referee Ndiaye Maquette of manipulation.
FIFA denounced the objection as 'inadmissible' in a statement issued on December 3rd.
SAFA, according to Oyanka, was blinded by emotions and was unable to follow the regulations in their protest against Ghana.
“We all know that two teams cannot emerge as the leaders of the group do in such a case a decision from a referee, perhaps coupled with a moment of brilliance, can separate the two. At the end of the 90 minutes, the better side which happens to be Ghana won the game,” Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka said as quoted by SportsWorldghana.com
“Neutral commentators have said that Ghana dominated the game. That’s part of the reason FIFA rejected the SA protests, in case you don’t know. They will consider the quality displayed by the protesting team, the likelihood they are the better side, and whether they deserve a rematch. And the merits of their accusations against the referee whom they claim was 90% responsible for their failure. How much truth is in that? Nii Oyanka quizzed. Frivolous protest thrown out of the window by FIFA he said”. he added
The former footballer turned traditional leader said that SAFA made a mistake by attacking the Senegalese referee.
“To claim the referee was patently biased and gave 87% of wrong decisions in favour of Ghana was far-fetched. The South Africans were carried by emotions than the objective assessment and even shows that ignorance in football management”. he concluded.