POLOKWANE – DUBIOUS penalty in the first half earned South Africa a 2-1 victory over visiting Senegal in the 2018 World Cup Group D qualifier match strongly contested at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.

Senegal, who dominated the match were outdone by Ghana referee Joseph Lamptey’s controversial decision when he awarded a clearly doubtful and suspicious penalty that propelled Bafana Bafana to the top of Group D log table with fourth points from two matches played to date.

Senegal are now second with three points following their genuine goal scored against the run of time by Dame Ndoye in the 75th minute.

Bafana Bafana had earlier scored their goals through Thulani Hlatshwayo’s controversial penalty spot and another gem of a goal by namesake Thulani Serero in 42nd and 45th minutes.

But the Senegalese were not deterred as they fought back with tenacity only to be outdone by the referee’s damaging first half controversial decision.

As that was not enough, man of the match Keagan Dolly’s accolade was wrongfully awarded to Serero in a match fans felt the decisions – right from the match officials to the soccer panelists were skewed.

LINE-UPS
SOUTH AFRICA:
Khune, Hlatshwayo, Mathoho, Coetzee, Matlaba, Jali, Mabunda, Makola, Serero (Klate 80′), Rodgers (Grobler 58′), Dolly (Kekana 71′).

SENEGAL:
Diallo, Mbodji, Koulibaly, Gueye, Konate (Diouf 60′), Kouyate, Mane, Diame (Ndoye 46′), Ciss, Balde, Gassama (Toure 83′).

– CAJ News