What Happened to Janny Sikazwe, Controversial Referee of CAN 2022?
Janny Sikazwe, the Zambian referee, gained notoriety during the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) match between Mali and Tunisia. This infamous event took place on January 12, 2022, at the Omnisport Stadium in Limbé, Cameroon. As Mali led 1-0, Sikazwe made an unexpected decision to end the match prematurely.
Controversial Decisions at CAN 2022
During the group’s initial game, Sikazwe halted the match in the 85th minute, seemingly for a cooling break. He then resumed the game, only to blow the final whistle again just before the 90th minute, leaving Tunisia unable to equalize. This abrupt conclusion led to widespread outrage among Tunisian players and staff, who rushed onto the pitch seeking clarification. The officiating team had to exit under police escort due to the heightened tensions.
Referee’s Explanation
In an interview with the media several weeks later, Sikazwe stated he experienced heat exhaustion. He reported feeling overwhelmed by the high humidity and heat conditions in Limbé, which exceeded 80%. He claimed his confusion during the match was so severe that he did not hear instructions from his assistants, and he later required medical attention. Sikazwe remarked, “I could have ended up in a coffin” due to the dangerous situation.
Experience and Previous Controversies
This match marked Sikazwe’s fifth CAN appearance. His prior experience includes officiating at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and several continental club finals. Nevertheless, his career has been marred by past controversy. In the 2019 CAN, Senegal’s coach criticized his performance in a match against Algeria, calling it “catastrophic.” Furthermore, he faced a suspension from a CAF Champions League match over corruption allegations, although it was subsequently lifted due to a lack of evidence.
Final Whistles and Retirement
Despite the controversial ending to the Tunisia-Mali match, Sikazwe officiated a match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup between Belgium and Canada. Critics again targeted him for missing what some thought were two clear penalties for Canada. He announced his retirement from refereeing in December 2022, stating it was a decision he had considered long before the World Cup. At nearly 45, he believed it was time to make way for younger referees.
Subsequent Matches Between Mali and Tunisia
Since the infamous CAN 2022 match, Mali and Tunisia have faced each other three times. Their latest encounter was during the CAN 2024, where they ended in a 1-1 draw.
