( CNN ) -- The South African Football Association ( SAFA ) have appealed to the Confederation of African Football ( CAF ) after the country failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations due to misinterpreting the tournament 's rules . South Africa celebrated on Saturday believing a 0-0 draw at home to Sierra Leone in Nelspruit had secured them top spot in qualification Group G due to their superior goal difference over their opponents and rivals Niger . But it emerged Niger would advance to next year 's tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea as a result of their superior head-to-head record against South Africa and Sierra Leone , despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to bottom side Egypt in Cairo . `` We have noted that CAF has announced that Niger has qualified in our group , '' read a letter sent by SAFA to CAF . `` Despite South Africa finishing on top of the group in terms of goal difference , which is the universally recognized means of separating teams who are equal on points . Big names miss out on 2012 Africa Cup of Nations . `` We believe that the team finishing top of the log at the end of the competition is automatically determined at the end of 90 minutes play , and that the second place is determined by the other rules . `` We will lay out our objection more fully shortly , but in the meantime wish to signal that we intend to challenge this interpretation and application of the rules . '' SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani was defiant after the match , insisting the organization would challenge a lack of clarity in the tournament 's rules . `` Do not despair , all is not lost , '' said Nematandani . `` We believe we have a case and we will carry this fight all the way . `` If CAF 's rules are ambiguous then we need to challenge that and we are well within our rights to do so . In the meantime be positive , and leave everything in our hands . '' South Africa hosted football 's biggest tournament last year when they became the first African country to stage a World Cup , but the team known as Bafana Bafana have now failed to reach two consecutive Cup of Nations . It also proved to be a shocking qualifying campaign for Egypt , with the Pharaohs missing out on next year 's event having won the last three tournaments in a row . Egypt , the most successful team in the history of the Cup of Nations having won it seven times , recently appointed former U.S. coach Bob Bradley in an attempt to reverse their current fortunes . Two-time winners Nigeria have also missed out on the 2012 competition after Guinea scored a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw on Saturday , to book their place in next year 's tournament at the expense of the Super Eagles .
South Africa have appeal after missing out on 2012 African Cup of Nations . South Africa topped group of goal difference , but missed out to Niger on head-to-head . Comment: