After a great run, in the run-up to the CAF FIFA World Cup playoffs, South Africa lost steam at the final leg as they lost 1-0 to Ghana in Accra. Bafana Bafana needed to avoid defeat to finish top of the log but were hard done by a penalty.
Bafana Bafana, however, feels there was a conspiracy against them and that it manifested in the form of a robbery. According to the team, the penalty was unjustifiable, and any chance to remedy the referee’s error was frustrated by the referee.
Rushine De Reuck was penalized by the Senegalese referee for the penalty, and the Bafana Bafana defender has finally spoken up after a period of silence.
Following the loss to Ghana, the defender has opened up on what he feels about the game. The defender’s opinion is shared by SAFA, who have petitioned FIFA and CAF to review the match and order a replay.
De Reuck was penalised by the referee for an adjudged pull or push on Ghana’s Daniel Amartey, which captain Andre Ayew converted. De Reuck, however, insists that there was ample evidence suggesting a fixed game in favour of the Black Stars of Ghana.
“We had moments in the game to capitalize, but we were robbed and never given a fair chance. As a player, I feel we deserve a second chance. It was heart-breaking to lose in that way broke me. I want to say thank you to the supporters and the encouragement that I got over the last few days,” the player explained.
De Reuck further said he and his teammates feel disappointed at the result. He claims the team was in a position to advance to the playoffs but not afforded the chance.
“It’s been a very tough few days, but not just for me but everyone that’s part of Bafana to go out the way that we did. We put ourselves in a good situation, and no one had given us a chance to do so well,” the Mamelodi Sundowns defender told the media on Wednesday.