Herve Loungoundji, the Central African Republic coach was left seething after his side lost 2-0 to South Africa in their World Cup qualifier in Cape Town on Saturday.

The visitors had the ball in the back of the net and thought they had scored an equaliser, but replays showed Brice Zimbori-Auzingoni had used his hands to tap a corner into the back of the net. Loungoundji appeared to miss the handball and believes the linesman was intimidated by the South African players into disallowing the goal.

Loungoundji said: “The ball was flowing on the pitch and Bafana won, we must acknowledge that, but I think that the referees need to change in Africa as he did not allow that goal.

“The linesman also did not allow the goal and the players put pressure on him to disallow it. That’s not really fair.”

Loungoundji was, however, confident his team can overcome South Africa when they play the return match at home.

“The home match is going to be different because we are going to show Bafana what we can do it home,” he added.