Football, they say, is a game of 90 minutes. But Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe had other ideas.
The match official ended this afternoon’s AFCON game between Tunisia and Mali on the 85th minute mark, much against FIFA regulation many would say.
The official then restarted the game but ended it again in the 89th minute, with about 15 seconds left to play.
The Tunisian players and officials protested in fury but the game is truly over now.
Mali have won 1-0 thanks to a penalty kick scored by Ibrahima Kone. Tunisia also had a penalty awarded to them but the Malian goalie saved it.
Both penalty kicks were awarded after video assistant referee (VAR) checks, adding tension and drama to the atmosphere.
Sikazwe has an angel-demon profile. He is regarded as one of the best referees in Africa and was in charge of the 2017 AFCON final in Libreville. But one year after that finale, CAF provisionally suspended the offical on suspicion of corruption following the way he handled the CAF Champions League match which Esperance won 4-2 in Rades.
Since his return to the arena, Sikizwe has been selected by FIFA to officiate at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
