Controversy Rocks AFCON Again as Organizers play Wrong Mauritania National Anthem Twice

• The wrong national anthem for Mauritania was played twice before their opening game against The Gambia
• Mauritania players were asked to sing the anthem without music but they refused
• Mauritania would go on to lose the game to Gambia 1-0 thanks to a Abile Jallow’s early strike for the Scorpions

The Africa Cup of Nations suffered another embarrassing moment on Wednesday, Jnauary 12, after organizers played the wrong national anthem for Mauritania in their opening group game against The Gambia.

The Daily Mail reports a problem with the stadium's sound system ahead of the game against Gambia had caused the technical issue with organizers asking the Mauritania players to sing the anthem without music but captain Aboubakar Kamara was seen shaking his head in refusal.

The Mauritanian players appeared furious at the organizers after the confusion persisted for a few extra minutes before the Gambian national anthem was played instead.

AFCON 2021: Mali Edge Tunisia Amid Controversy as Referee Blows for Full Time Early

Football

The game will later kickoff with Abile Jallow’s first-half goal sealing maximum points for Gambia who coincidentally were making their AFCON debut.

The incident came two hours after the first match in Group F between Mali and Tunisia was brought to an end before the clock hit 90 minutes.

According to the Punch, the Tunisians had furiously protested that there were several minutes of stoppage time still to play when Zambian official Janny Sikazwe signalled the end of the match in the 85th minute

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

Earlier Sportsbrief had reported 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.

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.