29 November 2013
South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan expressed his delight on Thursday after Fifa confirmed Bafana Bafana’s 1-0 victory over Spain as an “A” category international friendly.
Fifa had initially suggested that the match, played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 19 November, would not be recognised because Spain used more than the allowed six substitutes when they sent on a seventh player, goalkeeper Pepe Reina, to replace Victor Valdez in goal. Valdez had taken over from Iker Casillas earlier in the game.
After receiving a letter from Fifa on Thursday, Jordaan said Fifa had confirmed Safa’s position on the contest.
‘The country must savour this win’
“We complied with all the regulations for this historic victory and I am happy this matter has been laid to rest. The country must savour this win, as Bafana Bafana were the first country to beat Spain on the African continent,” Jordaan said in a statement.
“We expect that the impact of the victory will be reflected in the next December Fifa rankings as the ruling arrived on the date the November rankings were released.”
Bafana Bafana’s win over Spain, the world number one since 2008 and the reigning European and world champions, was South Africa’s first victory ever over a team ranked number one in the world.
SAinfo reporter and South African Football Association
