THREE ball boys were SENT OFF by the referee during Tanzania’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger.
Hosts Tanzania took the lead midway through the second half through Simon Msuva.
But the 29-year-old’s winning goal was not the major talking point.
That’s because Egyptian official Mohamed Al Sayd was forced to deal with three ball boys in stoppage time.
Tanzania were keen to run down the clock as Niger searched for a dramatic late equaliser.
But the visitors were forced to deal with more than just the hosts’ players.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Just before Niger earned themselves a corner in the dying embers, ball boys attempted to delay proceedings by throwing extra balls onto the pitch.
The Niger bench were wise to the tactic as they reacted furiously.
And Al Sayd was forced to deal with the issue as he ran over to the touchline and ushered them away.
Tanzania held on to secure a 1-0 win in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, before the clip involving the ball boys went viral on social media.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
And the tactic left football fans divided.
One said: “Haha great tactic!!”
While another agreed, adding: “They were taught to protect the result by any means.”
But others feel the practice should be punished, with one person saying: “Please tell me CAF [Confederation of African Football] is going to look into this…”
And a second replied: “Might be a tactic… but this should be punished by CAF. Seems it was coordinated by the bench. They threw fair play out of the window.”
Tanzania now need just a point away in Algeria in the last round of qualification games to secure second spot in their group ahead of Uganda.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
