Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, has denied reports that a Ghanaian died due to a disagreement with a South African over the outcome of Sunday night’s Fifa World Cup qualifier between the two countries.
A statement issued by the High Commission on Thursday, 18 November 2020, noted that one Mr Obeng-Boadi had allegedly told a Kumasi-based radio station that: “A disagreement between one Yaw Owusu and an unknown South African national over the result of the match between Ghana and South Africa has resulted in the stabbing to death of Yaw Owusu in a town called Mzimkhulu, in KwaZulu Natal Province.”
According to the mission, “after an extensive investigation into the matter, including discussions with Mr Obeng-Boadi, the information making rounds has been found to be fake and without merit.”
The Mission, therefore, advised Ghanaians living in South Africa, to “go about their daily duties without any fear.”
It further advised them to “act with circumspect by avoiding unnecessary arguments as well in areas where sentiments and tensions are high as a result of the outcome of the football match” and to call the Mission when they “feel that their lives are in danger.”
The FIfa World Cup qualifier was between Ghana and South Africa at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday, 14 November 2021.
The Black Stars’ 1-0 win over South Africa puts Ghana through to the play-offs.
But the South Africans are unhappy with the performance of Senegalese referee Ndiaye Maguetta after he awarded Ghana a penalty that was converted by Andre Ayew.
South Africa is praying for a repeat of the precedent that saw Fifa take the unusual step of ordering a replay of a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal after the referee was found guilty of match manipulation.