THE Confederation of African Football is dealing with the protest lodged by Safa after Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for their second successive Africa Cup of Nations finals.

"I can confirm that we have received a letter (of protest) from South Africa Football Association," said CAF secretary-general Hicham El Amrani.

"We are processing the matter and have referred it to the organising committee."

Safa is disputing a ruling that eliminated the national team after a goalless draw against Sierra Leone in Mbombela on Saturday left them level on points with the Leone Stars and Niger, who qualified for the finals, according to CAF.

CAF invoked Article 14.1, which states that if two or more teams are level on points after the group matches, the greater number of points obtained in the matches between the concerned teams will determine the group winner.

"We are of the opinion that this particular rule should be thrown out because it defeats the traditional way of determining a log standing," said Safa chief executive Robin Petersen, who called the regulations inconsistent with those for Fifa competitions.