Zambia FA Lodges Complaint Against Referee Lydia Tafesse, Demands WAFCON Semifinal Replay Against Banyana

• The Football Association of Zambia has called on CAF to have the Copper Queens' 2022 WAFCON semifinal against South Africa replayed
• Banyana Banyana was awarded a contentious penalty in injury time on Monday afternoon that was converted to hand them a ticket to Saturday's final
• The FAZ lodged a complaint against Ethiopian referee Lydia Tafesse for her decision

The Zambian Football Association is not letting the controversial 1-0 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinal loss by the Copper Queens to South Africa go.

The country's football governing body has lodged a complaint against Ethiopian referee Lydia Tafesse, who awarded Banyana Banyana the controversial penalty. It also called for a replay of the match.

Linda Motlhalo converted from the spot after Martha Tembo was adjudged to have fouled Jermaine Seopesenwe in the box.

According to the IOL, a ZFA media statement read:

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"The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its stakeholders and football family that it has lodged a formal complaint to the Confederation of African Football, FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala has advanced six key incidents including the late minute penalty awarded to South Africa.

“We therefore wish to contest against the decision of the referee to award such a penalty resulting in a goal which decided against our team progressing to the finals as we call for a serious review of the game. We call for the penalty to be cancelled, that a replay be ordered and that the referee be barred from handling any games.”

In 2019, CAF ordered a replay of the second leg of the Champions League final between Esperance and Wydad Casablanca after the latter walked off the pitch following a controversial VAR decision.

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Last year, SAFA tried but failed to have a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana replayed following a dubious 1-0 defeat out in West Africa.

Banyana Banyana penalty against Zambia causes bitter and fiery debate after 2022 WAFCON semifinal

South Africa might be through to the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, but how they got there remains on everyone's lips.

As reported by Sports Brief, Linda Motlhalo scored a 94th-minute penalty after Ethiopian referee Lydia Tafesse controversially awarded Banyana Banyana after Copper Queens defender collided with Jermaine Seopesenwe in injury time.

Tafesse deliberated over the decision during a lengthy discussion with the video assistant referee (VAR).

The decision proved to be a highly contentious one, splitting social media down the middle about its merits.