SAFA vs Ghana saga: GFA general secretary Prosper Harrison Addo rejects media reports of favourable FIFA ruling

Ghana Football Association general secretary Prosper Harrison Addo has denied media reports of a favourable Fifa ruling on the case of alleged match manipulation filed by the South African Football Association.

Senegalese Referee Ndiaye Maguette was at the centre of controversy when he awarded a dubious penalty to Ghana in the first half which Andre Ayew converted, sending Ghana to the playoff round.

SAFA is seeking a replay and also pressing for Maguette to be handed a lifetime ban from officiating which will include next year’s World Cup.

“As a responsible FA, we are simply waiting to hear from Fifa,” Addo said on Akoma FM.

“Ignore all rumours saying Fifa has banned the Senegalese referee, or thrown away their protest, these are false publications from South Africa.

“Ghana has qualified for that play-off and we are waiting for the draw next year.”

“We cannot be afraid of any country in the play-offs, we are Ghana,” he added.

“We have qualified three times for the World Cup, won the Afcon four times, other countries must rather be afraid of us.  We are all hoping to be part of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

“The playoffs will be played in March 2022 and the likely countries Ghana could face might not be as strong as they are now.

“We should all have confidence in the team and surely Ghana will make it to the Qatar 2022 World Cup.”