Tunisia coach Mondar Kebair said he had “never seen anything like it” when the referee in his side’s Africa Cup of Nations against Mali on Wednesday blew the final whistle before the game ended.
Zambian official Jenny Sikzawe signaled the end of the match and registered a 1–0 win for 10-man Mali in the coastal city of Limbe, with the clock showing 89 minutes and 47 seconds.
Tunisians fiercely protested that there was still several minutes of pause time for play.
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Ending the game in the 85th minute was the strangest decision ever made by a referee in the most controversial game of all time, in Tunisia versus Mali. Don’t think an Afkon game has been more controversial. true or false kudus acra black stars shatta wale kumasi #TUNMLI pic.twitter.com/wVEZy05pw5
– Nathaniel Nartey (nAnnertey_Nartey) 12 January 2022
Confused with confusion, Mali coach Mohamed Magasouba was holding a post-match victory press conference when an official entered the room under the stands to indicate that play would resume with three minutes still left. are remaining.
Mali returned to the field but the Tunisians did not emerge again, and so the referee brought the game to a certain conclusion when Mali kicked again.
“It is a difficult situation to deal with. The referee also had five minutes left in the first half and then he blew after 89 minutes, giving us practically seven or eight minutes of extra time to be dispatched.
“His decision is incomprehensible. I can’t understand how he took his decision and we will see what happens now.”
Tunisia vs Mali in the last 5 minutes #AFCON2021The referee blows the whistle for the full time at 85 minutes. resumes the play. In the 87th minute a gardener sends the player. The VAR tells the referee that it is not red. The referee overrules the VAR decision. Ref flew again for full time 89.40min. Feather pic.twitter.com/kDbgwcdMqe— chris (@chrisohungo) 12 January 2022
However, the Tunisian team’s refusal to return to the pitch could lead to further sanctions from the Confederation of African Football.
“He blew in full time and told us to go to the dressing room so the players were in their ice baths and then they told us to come back,” Kebayar said.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in 30 years in this business.”
Stunning visuals for Mali winning a Group F game thanks to a penalty after half-time from Ibrahima Kon saw what should have been a proud day for Mali.
Tunisia had a chance to level but Wahbi Khajri’s spot kick at the other end was saved from play in the last quarter of an hour.
“These are administrative questions. We were told to go back on the pitch because the game was not over.”
“Unfortunately the opposition didn’t want to come back and the last whistle was blown.”
The second Group F match of the day, between Mauritania and The Gambia at the same venue, was delayed by 45 minutes from the 1600 GMT start scheduled for earlier due to confusion.
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