Africa Cup: Referee whistles twice too early

After 85:06 minutes, Sikazwe had seen enough of the game in Limbe and the whistle was blown. However, the players convinced him that he had made a mistake. After 89:45 minutes, it was finally over. Sikawze was not impressed by the angry protests of the Tunisians who had passed away and left the square under the protection of security forces.

The second over-punctual final whistle is at least as puzzling as the first, as there was enough reason for stoppage time. Mali’s midfielder El Bilal Toure saw the red card in the 87th minute, the game was long paused due to the video review. The dismissal was just as controversial as the two hand penalties in the game. Mali’s Ibrahima Kone (48th) used the first to make it 1-0, the Tunisian Wahbi Khazri (77th) missed the second.

Ironically, there should be some kind of extension in the end. As Mali’s coach Mohamed Magassouba was at the press conference, officials informed him that the remaining minutes should be played back. The Mali players and referee Sikazwe gathered again on the pitch, but the Tunisians did not come. After a short wait, Sikazwe finally whistled. Magassouba went back to the press conference, exasperated.

Africa Cup 2022 in Cameroon