David GOMBE
South Africa found themselves in a must win situation on the final day in Group C of CHAN 2024 after their goalless stalemate with Niger on Friday night at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
Bafana Bafana were denied twice by VAR on the frustrating night in the first period. The South African were denied two penalties after lengthy video reviews.
Moroccan referee Bouchra Kerboubi who was the first female referee to handle a CHAN game at Namboole pointed to the spot in the 18th minute for a foul inside Niger’s box.
She was however sent to the pitch side monitor for review and overturned her initial decision.
Before the halftime breather, the Moroccan official was again called for VAR consultation on a handle inside Niger’s box but after the review, She waved for play on.
South Africa dominated proceedings but couldn’t breakdown Niger’s resilience.
Bafana Bafana are on five points level with Algeria and just one below Group C leaders Uganda with all the three sides eyeing a quarterfinal place.
Niger collected their first point of the 2024 edition but the 2022 semifinalists bow out of the competition alongside Guinea who are on four points in Group C.
