AFCON 2021: Referee blows for full-time early twice during Tunisia against Mali

By Ogundele Olanrewaju

Referee Janny Sikazwe blew the final whistle early twice during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations fixture between Tunisia and Mali — ultimately ending the game 11 seconds before the 90-minute mark.

The game ended after 89 minutes and 49 seconds. Tunisia’s coaching staff protested after the game, questioning the referee’s decision to end the game on the pitch.

The Zambian referee had already blown up in the 85th minute of the match, before then being exhorted to carry on.

In between, Sikazwe gave Malian midfielder El Bilal Toure a red card for an innocuous-looking challenge in the 87th minute. He was asked to review the challenge by the video assistant referee and checked the pitchside screen, before staying with his decision.

Two controversial penalties were also awarded for handball. Mali scored their spot-kick while Tunisia missed, with Mali holding a 1-0 lead when the final whistle was blown.

Sikazwe refereed the 2017 AFCON final between Cameroon and Egypt, the 2016 Club World Cup final, and two games at the 2018 World Cup.

In 2018, he was suspended by the Confederation of African Football following a CAF Champions League match.