Ghanaian retired referee Francis Osei Nsiah has backed Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye decision to award Ghana a penalty in the Black Stars 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier win over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Captain Andre Ayew’s 33rd-minute penalty was all that the four-time African Champions needed to defeat South Africa to secure qualification to the playoffs which will be played in March next year.
The penalty, which was awarded by referee Maguette Ndiaye, has since taken centre stage by South Africa FA.
On Monday, SAFA announced that it had lodged a formal complaint at FIFA to have the match investigated and possibly replayed.
The Association also organised a press conference on Wednesday, where they claimed match-fixing, match manipulation and bemoaned other decisions they felt directly influenced the game.
However, speaking on Kumasi-based Hello FM on Saturday, 20th November, 2021, the retired referee has supported the penalty call, saying:
“The most important thing here is that there was a contact. So once that has been established by evidence of the video we have all seen. For me I think Maguette Ndiaye’s decision was spot on and I will score him 7/10 in the game.”
Meanwhile, FIFA has acknowledged receipt of SAFA’s complaint, saying investigations are ongoing into the allegations.