Uganda to write to FIFA over disallowed goal in Zambia U-17 World Cup qualifier

Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team coach Sheryle Botes has revealed that she has asked the Uganda Football Federation (FUFA) to write to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA to complain about the disallowed goal in the first leg of the 2024 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

The Teen Cranes suffered a 2-0 loss to the Copper Princesses on Sunday at Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium.

The Botes-led side thought they had found an equaliser in the second half, but the goal was cancelled by the referee after consulting with the fourth official.

The referee initially awarded the goal, which would have tied the scores at one-all, but reversed his decision after a brief conversation with the fourth official, who indicated that there was an infringement in the build-up to the goal.

Botes has expressed disappointment with how the first leg was handled, as her side suffered the consequences of what she feels was unfair decision-making.

Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team coach Sheryle Botes. (Photo via FUFA Media)

She has wondered why the refereeing panel opted to use the big screen in the stadium to come to a decision that led to disallowing the goal.

“We were very disappointed in Zambia. They were leading 1-0, but we managed to score a goal in the 64th minute. The goal was given by the referee; the ball was in the middle of the field on the line,” she said.

“The fourth official called the referee over, and subsequently, there was a big-screen TV in the stadium where they showed the score. Some other broadcaster replayed that moment when the goal was scored and used the big screen TV as VAR.”

“When did big screen in stadium become VAR”- Botes

Botes wondered when CAF or FIFA authorized match officials to use big-screen TVs in the stadium as VAR.

“I cannot remember that FIFA or CAF has regulated that you can use the big screen as VAR. So the fourth [and] the referee made that decision, and they reversed the goal. We have informed FUFA to write a complaint to CAF so that this matter can be taken into account,” Botes disclosed.

The coach also stated that the disallowed goal could have changed the complexion of the match because they pressed and pinned Zambia behind their defensive half.

“Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. That one goal would have changed the complexion of the game; we have a good second, and we thought we put them under pressure,” she stated.

Uganda and Zambia will face off in the second leg of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

Zambia leads 2-0 on aggregate and Uganda will need to score three unanswered goals to overturn the scoreline and qualify for the next round, where Morocco or Algeria await.