Top News

The referee responsible for one of the Africa Cup of Nation's most memorable moments has since retired but his antics in one particular game will live long in the memory. Zambian official, Janny Sikazwe, was centre stage for a peculiar incident back in 2022 where he blew time on a game early, not once, but twice.

He later claimed he could have died had he not called the game prematurely. The 2026 edition of AFCON will reach its end this weekend with the third and fourth place play-off taking place on Saturday, ahead of the final on Sunday.

Yet it was the Group F match in Limbe, Cameroon four years ago, with the 2021 tournament played in early 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that was concluded in controversy thanks to Sikazwe's bizarre decision-making.

Chaos ensued in the group fixture between Mali and Tunisia. Security were even forced to sprint onto the pitch to protect the official after he produced a series of blunders during Mali’s 1-0 win.

Sikazwe gave two controversial penalties and a questionable red card in the match. However, his call to blow for full time on just 85 minutes sent Tunisia officials into a rage.

• Inside Mo Salah and Sadio Mane feud as Liverpool star seeks AFCON revenge

• Mo Salah's AFCON return date now clear as Liverpool receive key update for Arne Slot

Sikazwe then continued the game, only to blow up again with 89 minutes and 47 seconds on the clock. Not only did he curtail proceedings early but he also ignored any added time, despite the game's second half stopping for long periods due to drinks breaks, several substitutions and lengthy VAR checks.

Events took another bizarre twist as just 20 minutes later tournament organisers insisted the game to be played to a conclusion. Tunisia's players had other ideas however and did not return to the field with Mali then crowned winners of the tie.

Later, Sikazwe stood by his decision. He claimed he could have died from heatstroke and so called time on the game early.

"I have seen people going for duties outside the country and come back in a casket," he said. "I was very close to coming back like that.

"I was lucky I didn't go into a coma. It would have been a very different story. The doctors told me my body was not cooling down.

"It would have been just a little time before [I would have gone] into a coma, and that would have been the end. "I think God told me to end the match. He saved me."

Speaking to Zambian media on his arrival back in the country, he added: "The weather was so hot, and the humidity was about 85 per cent."

Speaking on his call to end the game, he said: "I started getting confused. I could not hear anybody. I reached the point where I could start hearing some noise and I thought someone was communicating with me and people were telling me 'no you ended the match'. It was a very strange situation.

The day following the game Sikazwe went to hospital for heart, blood and physical tests but his results came back normal.

Sikazwe was also embroiled in controversy when he took charge of the 2016 Club World Cup Final between Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers as he failed to send off former Madrid star Sergio Ramos, despite booking the defender twice.

Sikazwe also was temporarily suspended on suspicion of corruption after his officiating in an African Champions League tie between Esperance and Primiero Agosto was called into question. The suspension was handed down by CAF in November 2018 but lifted three months later by FIFA.

Sikazwe is now retired from refereeing and has recently been working as the Confederation of African Football technical instructor.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.