The Africa Cup of Nations descendÂed into chaos on WednesÂday after farce scenes involvÂing the refÂerÂee in MalÂiâs conÂtroÂverÂsial 1â0 vicÂtoÂry over Tunisia.
OffiÂcial JanÂny Sikazwe gave the final whisÂtle after just 85 minÂutes before resumÂing play, but then soundÂed again with just 89 minÂutes and 43 secÂonds left of the Group F clash.
His misÂtake sparked a furiÂous reacÂtion from the Tunisian bench, with boss MondÂher Kebaier furiÂousÂly grabÂbing the ZamÂbian refÂerÂeeâs arm and pointÂing his watch immeÂdiÂateÂly after the full-time whistle.
The Tunisian head coach was latÂer joined by his team behind the scenes in protest, with Kebaier facÂing one of the linesÂmen to comÂplain about the gameâs untimeÂly end as his side lost 1â0.
SecuÂriÂty perÂsonÂnel had to surÂround Sikazwe, who refÂerÂeed the 2018 World Cup in RusÂsia, and his two offiÂcials at Limbe staÂdiÂum in Cameroon in order to keep angry Tunisian perÂsonÂnel away from them.
Kebaier angriÂly grabbed the offiÂcialâs arm and was joined by memÂbers of his backÂstage staff
In the press conÂferÂence room we just saw the refs on the pitch disÂcussing what to do next and the fans are comÂing back.
Malian coach Mohamed MagÂaÂsÂsoubaâs post-match press conÂferÂence was then interÂruptÂed, with African FootÂball ConÂfedÂerÂaÂtion offiÂcials bargÂing in and declarÂing the match would resume for the final three minutes.
Fans were then seen returnÂing to the stands as offiÂcials disÂcussed the bizarre sitÂuÂaÂtion on the sideline.
HowÂevÂer, in a final draÂmatÂic twist, Tunisia appeared to refuse to come out and play the remainÂder of the game, although refÂerÂee Sikazwe and Mali waitÂed for them on the pitch.
The ZamÂbian offiÂcial then whisÂtled again to call off the game, meanÂing MalÂiâs 1â0 vicÂtoÂry will stand.
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