FIFA have decided that the CAF Group D match between South Africa and Senegal, won by South Africa 2-1 on SAT 12 NOV 2016, is to be annulled and replayed due to match manipulation by the referee. The replay has been scheduled for NOV 2017.

The original match was embroiled in controversy after Ghanaian referee Joseph LAMPTEY awarded a penalty to Bafana Bafana, despite replays clearly showing that the ball struck the leg – not the arm – of Senegal defender Kalidou KOULIBALY. South Africa converted the penalty and won the match.

However, on MON 20 MAR 2017, FIFA announced that its disciplinary committee had found Lamptey guilty of “unlawfully influencing match results” and banned him for life. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has now confirmed the decision, leading to the decision by FIFA’s bureau for Men’s World Cup qualifying to annul the match.

According to FIFA, the decision takes effect immediately but must be ratified by the organising committee for FIFA competitions at its next meeting on THU 14 SEP 2017.

The replay will take place during the international break of MON 06-TUE 14 NOV 2017. As a result, South Africa and Senegal will play one another twice during that time: the regularly scheduled match in Senegal, and the replay in South Africa. The order of the matches, and the specific dates, is yet to be announced.