Controversy rocks as Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey accused of helping South Africa beat Senegal

Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey has been accused by some Senegalese fans for dubiously helping South Africa to beat them in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

The Bafana Bafana team got their World Cup qualifying campaign up and running with a 2-1 win over Senegal in Polokwane.

The Group D match was heading towards a listless stalemate at half-time before referee Joseph Lamptey gave a penalty to the hosts for handball, even though replays showed the ball struck Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly on the thigh.

Thulani Hlatshwayo converted and a reeling Senegal were not allowed to recover as Thulani Serero added a second before the interval.

Substitute Cheikh N'Doye scrambled a goal back but South Africa move ahead of their Group B rivals on to four points from two matches, while Lamptey left the field with a substantial security presence.