Referee Janny Sikazwe was at the centre of an unbelievable error in the group F game between Mali and Tunisia at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.
Zambian referee, Sikazwe who is one of Africa’s best match officials was caught twice taking extremely poor decisions. In the 85th minute, he ended the game abruptly in what left the entire stadium and those watching from home shocked. He also gave a debatable red card to a Malian player on the 87th minute, before ending the game for the second time before regulation time on the 89th minute.
Sikazwe’s decision left the Tunisian bench fuming as he had to be shielded by local stewards in the stadium. The decision left a blot on a game that has been one of the best so far in the competition.
The Tunisian team was asked to return to the pitch to complete the game late on but only Malian players returned to the pitch, with the Tunisian coach revealing later that the player were having their recovery process – an ice bath when they were called upon.
Fans and followers have called on CAF to sanction the referee who’s not getting in the news over controversies for the first time. According to sources in Cameroon, the referee revealed that he had heat stroke and wasn’t in the right condition during the game.
Ibrahima Kone’s 48th-minute penalty made all the difference for the Malians with the Tunisians missing a late chance to restore parity after a penalty miss by Wahbi Khazri.