AFCON: Fans brand tournament ‘a shambles’ and ’embarrassing’ after Tunisia and Mali chaos

Fans have labelled the Africa Cup of Nations tournament ‘a shambles’ and ’embarrassing’ after Tunisia and Mali’s clash descended into chaos on Wednesday.

Official Janny Sikazwe blew the final whistle after just 85 minutes before restarting play, but then blew again with just 89 minutes and 43 seconds of the Group F clash gone.

The farcical scenes have created quite a stir on social media with fans confused as to what happened, with some criticising the AFCON tournament. 

Fans have reacted on social media after Tunisia vs Mail descended into chaos on Wednesday

One fan said: ‘What a shambles of a tournament this is got to be most boring competition I’ve watched and refereeing is scandalous.’

Another added: ‘This is embarrassing,’ while one other user wrote: ‘Absolute shambles.’ 

The referee’s mistake drew a furious reaction from Tunisia’s bench, with boss Mondher Kebaier furiously grabbing the arm of the Zambian referee and pointing to his watch in the immediate aftermath of the full-time whistle.

The Tunisia head coach was then joined by his backroom staff in protesting, with Kebaier confronting one of the linesmen to complain about the game being brought to a premature end with his side losing 1-0.

Security staff had to surround Sikazwe, who refereed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and his two officials at the Limbe Stadium in Cameroon in order to keep angry Tunisia staff away from them.

Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba’s post-match press conference was later interrupted, with Confederation of African Football officials barging in and saying the match would be restarted to play out the final three minutes.

Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier (R) was furious with Zambian referee Sikazwe (L) after his error

The protests continued as Kebaier was joined by angry members of his backroom staff

Kebaier even confronted one of the linesmen to protest against the referee’s decision

After security had gradually ushered Tunisia’s bench away, the officials followed them off

Supporters were then seen filing back into the stands as the officials discussed the bizarre situation on the touchline.

However, in a final dramatic twist, Tunisia appeared to refuse to come out and play the remainder of the game, although referee Sikazwe and Mali did wait for them on the pitch.

The Zambian official then blew his whistle once again to call off the match, meaning the 1-0 victory for Mali will stand.

The game saw two VAR interruptions, the first awarding a penalty to Tunisia in the second half

Wahbi Khazri saw his effort saved by Mali goalkeeper Ibrahima Mounkoro 13 minutes from time

Sikazwe then sent off Mali substitute El Bilal Toure in rather harsh circumstances late on

There have since been suggestions that Sikazwe’s double error came after he stopped the match for a five-minute water break, but failed to pause his watch.

That mistake would have seen his watch run to 90 minutes even though only 85 had actually been played. It has also been suggested that Sikazwe believed the extra four minutes 43 seconds played after his initial full-time whistle was stoppage time. 

One fan believed the referee should have given some help from the officials alongside him, he said: ‘The referee had an a absolute shocker, in his defence the 4th official should have been all over it as well as his assistants.  

‘There’s at least 5 minutes additional time to be played.’

While another said: ‘We all have bad days, forgive him.’ 

Mali had taken the lead early in the second half of the Group F clash through Ibrahima Kone