Mali, who had MFF goalkeeper Ismael Diawara on the bench, faced Tunisia on Wednesday in the premiere of the group stage of the African Championships. At the end of the match, great turbulence arose, and the Tunisian camp was really upset after Mali’s 1-0 victory.
The reason is that the referee Janny Sikazwe, from Zambia, first blew off the match after 85 minutes of play, when Mali led 1-0. The leaders, on Tunisia’s bench, looked confused, but eAfter a short while, the match resumed. Despite the short break and the fact that it was a “cooling break” in the second half, there was no extra time and the match was called off when the match clock stood at 89 minutes and 43 seconds. Once again too soon.
The Tunisian bench was then really upset and went to the referee to protest against the decision to blow off the match prematurely. Mali’s players and leaders in turn celebrated with visiting supporters in Cameroon. After 20 minutes, the Mali captain was given a chance to change things around. However, Tunisia’s players did not come out, and thus Mali won the match 1-0.
Tunisia’s national team captain Mondher Kebaier is angry after the match.
In the 85th minute he blew for the final signal. Then in the 89th minute. It was thought that there would be seven to eight minutes of extra time. His decision is inexplicable, he says according to Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi and continues:
– The players took an ice bath for 35 minutes before being called back again. I have been a coach for a long time and have never seen anything like this.
When the Football Channel reaches Ismael Diawara, he gives his view on what happened.
– It was well in the 85th minute the referee blew off first, and it was not a little too early. Then they wondered, what happens now? Is it a free kick? Then I saw that Tunisia’s bench was cursed to say the least. Then the match continued anyway and we got a red card. It took time and he checked WHERE. Then he blew off too early again, the goalkeeper says to Fotbollskanalen and continues:
– We then went into the locker room and celebrated. Then we were told it was time to go out again. It’s sick, what happened.
What do you think about it happening?
– I just think it’s strange because he made exactly the same mistake just before and then again. It was total confusion, no one understood what he was doing.
What did you say in the locker room afterwards?
– That it must not happen, that it is a joke. Many people think that the whole championship looks bad when such strange things happen, but there were still happy faces because we won. We laugh and move on from this quite easily.
In summary, Diawara’s championship debut did not turn out as he had hoped.
– No, I did not see this in front of me when I woke up this morning. It is also an experience, but it is nice that we took the victory in any case. It is the most important.
Mali will face Gambia and Mauritania in the last group matches. Diawara sees that Mali has a good chance to advance to the playoffs and go far in the championship.
– I think we have huge opportunities. We go almost on the same course as in the World Cup qualifiers, straight through and we show that we have a team with many talented players and work together. I still think we will surprise. I think we have the opportunity to do that.
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