President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku says he will have a meeting with the South African Football Association (SAFA) boss, Danny Jordaan soon so both parties can sort out their differences.
Ghana’s 1-0 win which took the Black Stars through to the final round of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers has come under scrutiny after the South Africans made allegations of bribery and match manipulation.
“On the eve of our game against South Africa, I said the game was a do or die affair. Don’t signal me to stop talking about this issue. When Danny Jordaan was doing same on their national television selling lies, who stopped him?”
Kurt Okraku highlighted poor preparations on the part of SAFA as a factor for their loss as they decided to travel to Cape Coast via bus which is a three-hour drive Accra.
“What did the advance team of South Africa do when they flew in to Ghana prior to the game? Why did their advisors not suggest they fly so they will not have weak legs before the game against our strong Black Stars?
“The hard work of the Black Stars will be protected and if you dare bring in the President of the land then you will find yourself in more trouble. But I am sure I will meet Danny Jordan this week and I am sure we will sort things out.”
Background
South Africa went into the game at the Cape Coast Stadium with a three point lead and needed to avoid defeat to Ghana to qualify top of Group G and progress to the play-offs.
But Ghana, who needed victory to topple the Bafana Bafana, secured the win through a penalty which Andre Ayew converted.
South Africa protested to the match commissioner after the game and indicated their their intention to complain to CAF and FIFA and subsequently did so, believing the penalty wasn’t a penalty.
The complaint to FIFA was followed up with a press conference from SAFA where president Danny Jordaan claimed they had been systematic schemes to cheat the South African team right from when they arrived in Ghana and all throughout the match.
FIFA confirmed receipt of the SAFA petition and said the matter will be referred to its Disciplinary Committee on November 24 for adjudication and decision.
The GFA has also been asked to send a response to the petition by Nov. 20, 2021.
