By Akosua Adjei
After South Africa book their place in the finals of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, some netizens have taken to social media to voice out what they perceive as a dubious penalty handed to South Africa.
It may be recalled that as a result of a late tackle on Jermaine in the 91st minute, referee Lidya Tafesse Abebe of Ethiopia awarded South Africa a penalty which resulted in the only goal of the first semi-final match.
See some social media reactions below:
Fans of #TeamZambia @Copper_Queens are right to be aggrieved. The winning ‘penalty’ given to @Banyana_Banyana in the #WAFCON SF was no penalty. The referee owes #Zambia an apology for her faulty #VAR call. Why didn’t she look at the pictures properly and confirm her first call?
— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) July 18, 2022
Too cruel on #TeamZambia…not a penalty for me #wafcon #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022
— Frank Darkwah (@Blaqqkoffi) July 18, 2022
That penalty against #teamzambia . I really want to cry 😢
— Ayishatu 👸 #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@ayishatu_) July 18, 2022
Africa does not need VAR. Africa needs the Lord himself to come down and officiate football matches on this continent. ZAMBIA ROBBED #CopperQueens
— Shi-Lumano (@Ichondongoma) July 18, 2022
Terrible decision by the refree and #Var to award @Banyanabanyana a late penalty against #zambia @awcon @Caf
— Hazvisinyore (@hazvisinyore) July 18, 2022
The officiating today at WAFCON,South Africa vs Zambia, clealry shows the substandard officiating which is a product of substandard trainings being done by FIFA. There is no need for competition when it lacks transparency. Referees do better than awarding sharp practices
— mpundu (@abrampundu) July 18, 2022
Bruce MWAPE has done a stellar job. Zambia is the best team in this tournament. Perhaps at par only with Morocco. Referees cannot change that. Let us remain of good cheer. In life, it is NOT always the best that wins. We must give our team a heroes welcome when they return.
— Dr Canisius BANDA (@CanisiusDr) July 18, 2022