Angry Tunisia Coach Reacts to Controversial FT Drama After Referee Sounded Whistle at 85th Minute

• Tunisia vs Mali Africa Cup of Nations opener descended into chaos after the match referee sounded the final whistle pre-maturely
• Mali led the encounter 1-0 and the West Africans were reduced to ten men as Tunisia looked to take advantage in the final minutes
• Coach of the Tunisian side Mondher Kebaier has slammed the Zambian international referee Janny Sikazwe over his controversial officiating

The coach of the Tunisian football team Mondher Kebaier has reacted to his side’s controversial loss to Mali in their AFCON 2021 opener on Wednesday, January 12, Daily Mail reports.

The tactician branded the decision as ‘inexplicable’ as he further claimed that he has never seen such despite being in the game of football for a long time.

Zambian international referee Janny Sikazwe controversially blew the final whistle of the encounter with five minutes before the end of regulation time.

The Tunisian referee was ordered to restart the game and again in he then blew with just 89 minutes and 43 seconds of the Group F clash gone.

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The post-match conference of Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba was disrupted and CAF officials announced that the final three minutes of the game would be replayed.

But Tunisia refused to return to the pitch and consequently the Zambian official was forced to blow the final whistle yet again, meaning the 1-0 victory for Mali will stand.

After the game, furious Tunisia coach Magassouba said via GiveMeSport:

“Very tough to manage non-sporting affairs. At the 85th minute he blows final whistle. Again at 89th minute. There was supposed to be 7-8 minutes of additional time. His decision is inexplicable.

“The players were taking ice baths for 35 minutes before they were called back out again.

“I've been coaching for a long time never seen anything like it. Even the 4th referee was preparing to lift the board and then the whistle was blow."

Tunisia's bench reacted furiously with the manager grabbing the arm of the Zambian referee and pointing to his watch in the immediate aftermath of the full-time whistle.

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