Is this to be blamed on the 35 degrees at the Omnisport Stadium in Limbé this Wednesday followingnoon? Is this attributable to the harshness of this Tunisia-Mali? The fact remains that Mr. Janny Sikazwe, the Zambian referee of this group F meeting, largely precipitated the game into chaos, by whistling the end of the match too early, and this on two occasions.
Rather good throughout the game, Mr. Sikazwe first whistled the end around the 85th minute. Aware of his mistake, the official quickly caught up and started the game once more. But it was to send the players back to the locker room some four minutes later, before the time actually ran out. And by robbing Tunisia, in search of a late equalizer – a penalty was missed by Khazri (77th) – of any additional time, while this one promised to be quite consistent, given many changes and stoppages of game in the second half.
The Zambian even took the 4th referee by surprise, who had the backboard in his hands to signify additional time to add.
Mr. Sikazwe’s double ball cannot be attributed to inexperience, since it is the 5th CAN on which this referee officiates.
While the Malians gathered to thank the sky for having protected their goal in advance until the end – decisive goal from the penalty of Ibrahima Koné (48th) -, the referee was taken part by the entire Tunisian staff following the meeting. The Zambian had to be escorted by stewards to return to the locker rooms.
Tunisians refuse to resume the match
After which, another twist … While the case seemed heard and the match folded in favor of Mali, it was decided that the meeting would resume for a few minutes, even as the Malian coach Mohamed Magassouba gave his impressions at a press conference!
The latter did not seem willing to resume but his players have returned to the pitch. In the meantime, the 4th referee had replaced Mr. Sikazwe.
But ultimately, it was the Tunisians who refused to represent themselves on the ground. And for that they incur a match lost 3-0 on the green carpet. At the time of the VAR, on which he did not fail to rely throughout the game, Mr. Sikwaze, has not finished hearing regarding this end of the match.
