Afcon controversy

Afcon controversy in Mali-Tunisia game. Photo: Twitter

WATCH: Major officiating controversy at Afcon as ref ends game early!

There were bizarre scenes at the end of Mali’s 1-0 Afcon win over Tunisia as the referee prematurely blew the final whistle.

Afcon controversy

Afcon controversy in Mali-Tunisia game. Photo: Twitter

In scenes that were barely believable, Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe fist blew the full time whistle after just 85 minutes of play in the Afcon clash between Mali and Tunisia. He then restarted the game before eventually calling full time before 90 minutes had elapsed, while there was no stoppage time at all.

READ | FORMER KAIZER CHIEFS WINGER RESURFACES AT MARUMO GALLANTS – EXCLUSIVE

Mali went on to win the match thanks to a penalty scored by Ibrahima Kon, but the Tunisia camp was understandably infuriated after the game, with security eventually having to safeguard the officials.

It remains to be seen what the fallout will be from this major controversy, but you can be assured it’s not the last time this issue will come into the spotlight.

As it is, matters became even more bizarre when reports suggested that the post-match press conference with Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba was then interrupted as CAF officials barged in to state that the match will be re-started to play out the final three minutes.

However, it was then said that Tunisia declined to come out for the final five minutes which CAF wanted to be played out because the decision had been taken when the post-match press conference was on. Mali were therefore declared 1-0 winners.

In 2018, Caf provisionally suspended Sikazwe on suspicion of corruption following the way he handled the Caf Champions League match which Esperance won 4-2 in Rades.

Sikazwe, who refereed at the 2018 Fifa World Cup, awarded a controversial penalty which led to Esperance’s first goal after adjudging Algerian forward Mohamed Belaili to have been fouled by Agosto defender Jose Macaia.

You can watch the controversial scenes at Afcon below

WATCH: KAIZER CHIEFS TALISMAN KEAGAN DOLLY RECEIVES HIS PSL AWARDS