South Africa misread qualification rules, out of African Cup of Nations

This is as embarrassing as it can get in international football. Last years 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts South Africa were eliminated over the weekend from the qualifiers for the 2012 African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The Bafana Bafana played out a goalless draw against Sierra Leone at home in Nelspruit though they needed a victory to confirm their place in the final round as they didn't know the rules of qualification.

The same was announced by the South African Broadcasting Corporation with the SAFA president going on TV to congratulate his side for qualifying for next years tournament.

After the game thinking they had qualified Bafana Bafana celebrated their qualification with their fans at he ground only to be told later that head-to-head and not goal difference counts as the key factor for qualification. With Niger (-2 goals), South Africa (+2) and Sierra Leone (0) all on nine points a three-way head-to-head count was carried out and there Niger has six point while South Africa and Sierra Leone only five.

This means that Niger will play in the finals of the African Cup of Nations for the first time in their history next year like hosts Equatorial Guinea and Botswana; while regulars Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Algeria besides South Africa miss out on the tournament.

But South Africa isn't going to take their own mistake as granted and will appeal. The South African Football Association CEO, Robin Petersen, said, "We are going ahead with an appeal to the Confederation of African Football because we think we have a case."

Still I feel it is very embarrassing for such a football nation not knowing such an important rule for qualification for the continents show piece event.