WATCH: South Africa miss out on 2022 World Cup after controversial penalty decision in Ghana loss

South Africa have missed out on a spot in the 2022 World Cup after a controversial penalty decision in their loss to Ghana.

Bafana Bafana failed to pick up the point they needed to book their place in the African World Cup play-offs after being beaten 1-0 by Ghana at the Cape Coast Stadium on Monday.

A first-half penalty from Andre Ayew ultimately decided the Group G clash, but the referees' initial decision to point to the spot appeared to be highly dubious.

What happened?

Ghana and Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey brought the ball down in the opposition box from an out-swinging corner and looked well-positioned to fire a shot towards goal from point-blank range.

However, after seeing Ndiaye Maguette put out an arm to try and stop him, Amartey flung himself to the ground theatrically instead of shooting, with the referee awarding a penalty despite replays showing that there was minimal contact between the two men.

What's been said?

The South African Football Association (Safa) have already confirmed that they will be launching a complaint to FIFA in an attempt to have the match replayed.

Safa CEO Tebogo Mothlante has said: "We will be writing to both Caf [the Confederation of African Football] and Fifa - firstly to investigate how the game was handled and secondly to challenge some of these decisions.

"We feel very much robbed because it is not an isolated incident of a penalty. There are just a lot of questionable decisions by match officials and we will get an expert to dissect other incidents, so we can make a strong case.

"Of course we are looking at the precedent whereby Fifa ordered us to replay Senegal and we think that if justice needs to be served the same decision should be taken against this Ghana game."

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