Take a look at how the World’s papers and social media reacted to Janny Sikazwe’s handling of the Mali v Tunisia as compiled by the ZamFoot Crew.
The early days of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations have been fraught with incident, from positive coronavirus tests to Burkina Faso alleging “scandal” around CAF’s coronavirus protocols, but none of it compared to the refereeing storm that engulfed the final moments of Mali‘s 1-0 victory over Tunisia in Limbe, Cameroon, on Wednesday. (ESPN)
That wasn’t bad day at the office bad, that was total failure and reputation dent, Janny Sikazwe has to be disciplined. (Ben Chanda)
The AFCON descended into farce on Wednesday as the referee twice blew for full-time before 90 minutes had been played, with Tunisia refusing to return to the pitch 40 minutes later in protest despite having lost 1-0 to Mali. (Reuters)
But we have to understand Janny Sikazwe. He has carried the weight of the national at three consecutive Afrca Cup of Nations. Chipolopolo’s absence has turned us into referee experts and Janny is the victim. If Chipolopolo was present in Cameroon, we probably would never have noticed Janny and his display. (Augustine Mukoka)
Fans brand the Africa Cup of Nations tournament ‘a shambles’ and ’embarrassing’ after Tunisia and Mali’s clash descended into chaos following farcical scenes involving the referee. (Daily Mail UK)
Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe has a reputation as one of the best in Africa. But after farcical scenes in the match between Tunisia and Mali, the Zambian ref has inadvertently become a worldwide story. (The Sun)
Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe has come under the spotlight after ending a game between Mali and Tunisia before 90 minutes at the ongoing 2021 AFCON. (The Pulse, Ghana)
Referee makes ‘inexplicable’ call to end Mali vs Tunisia match after 89 minutes. Tunisia coach claims his players were in their ice baths when ref Janny Sikazwe asked them to return to the pitch and he said, ‘In 30 years in this business I have never seen anything like it,’ (South China Morning Post)
Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe caused controversy by blowing for full-time five minutes early in the Africa Cup of Nations match between Mali and Tunisia in Limbe, Cameroon. (Zambia Daily Mail)
However, after an intervention by the CAF, Sikazwe agreed to restart the match but the Tunisian team refused to take the field in protest. The match was officially awarded to Mali, who were already ahead with a 1-0 lead in the match. (Republic World)
Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier and his technical staff raced on to the field to confront referee Janny Sikazwe after his final whistle consigned them to a 1-0 defeat in Group F after the game finished in chaos (BBC)
Crazy scenes at Afcon as referee Janny Sikazwe twice blows too early for full-time in Mali’s 1-0 win over Tunisia (Goal)
The Africa Cup of Nations Group F match between Tunisia and Mali was plunged into chaos on Wednesday after the full-time whistle was blown twice before the 90th minute. (Skysports)