The South African Football Association (SAFA) has apologised to its Ghanaian counterpart over age-cheating allegations made against Ghana by the coach of its women's under-17 team. Gregory Marshilo made the allegations after the Ghana's national women's under-17 football team, eliminated South Africa 5-1 on aggregate last month in Accra to qualify for the FIFA women's World Cup, reported Xinhua. "The statement made by Mashilo is not only against the good spirit of friendship and fair play but it has also caused immense embarrassment for this association," SAFA Chief Executive Dr. Robin Petersen said in a letter to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) issued here Thursday. "We would also like to distance the association completely from the statement and make you aware that it was made without the knowledge or mandate of the association. "It is my sincere hope that the Ghana Football Association will accept our apology and not allow the matter to strain our long-standing friendly relations in any way," Petersen added. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Elkhan Mammadov for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Azerbaijan congratulated Ghana in a letter written to GFA on qualifying for the tournament which will be staged from Sep 22 to Oct 13. "With the participation of countries such as Ghana, together we can build great memories, strong cooperation, talent development, and a better world."