AFCON
Afcon MatchDay 4 highlights: Refereeing blunder, anthem confusion and security concerns
A major refereeing blunder, a Mauritania anthem gaffe and serious security concerns overshadowed Wednesday’s games at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The referee in charge of the Mali-Tunisia game caused chaos by twice blowing the final whistle too early, incensing coaches on the losing team and causing a lengthy debate about whether the match would have to be restarted.
Mali was ahead 1-0 when referee Janny Sikazwe of Zambia ended the game early in the western city of Limbe. But it was Tunisia that refused to come back out 30 minutes later when officials tried to restart the match, with the coach saying his players were already in their ice baths by then.
While the farcical scenes created more negative headlines for the tournament, there were more serious concerns away from the matches.
The Cameroon news agency reported that a gun battle between separatist rebels and government soldiers left two dead and five injured in Buea, a city 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Limbe and where the Mali squad is based. “Heavily armed” rebels fired guns indiscriminately near a training stadium used by the Mali squad, the Cameroon news agency said.
The fighting was a stark reminder that Cameroon’s African Cup is not just unfolding under the shadow of the coronavirus, but also during a far less publicized but violent rebellion playing out in the western part of the country. The fighting is precariously close to where Group F teams Mali, Tunisia, Mauritania and Gambia will operate.
And if that wasn’t enough problems to contend with on Day 4, there was more embarrassment in the next game as the wrong anthem was played three times for Mauritania ahead of their opening game against Gambia in Limbe.
Mauritania players looked on in bemusement, some shaking their heads, as two unsuccessful attempts were made to play the country’s national anthem before kick-off.
The stadium announcer said Mauritania would then sing it themselves. Instead, a third try was quickly cut short after the country’s old anthem was played once more.
The players eventually stood and applauded before the Gambian anthem rang out as planned.
There was one feel-good moment at least: Gambia’s Ablie Jallow sent a shot arrowing into the top corner from outside the penalty area to give his country a 1-0 victory in its first appearance at the continent’s soccer showpiece.
Max-Alain Gradel scored with an equally-good long range shot in the sixth minute to give 2015 champion Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Wednesday’s last game. It meant nine of the first 12 games at the tournament have ended 1-0.
But there’s no doubt which incident was the talking point of the day.
With Mali leading Tunisia 1-0, referee Sikazwe first blew for full time after only 85 minutes. He seemed to realize his big blunder and restarted the game.
He then sent off Mali substitute El Bilal Toure in the 87th minute for a rash tackle _ also a questionable decision. But Sikazwe blew full time again about 20 seconds before the 90 minutes were up, according to the clock at the stadium and on TV broadcasts. About three minutes of added time had been expected.
The second early whistle infuriated Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier and other members of the coaching staff. Kebaier ran to confront the referee while pointing angrily at his own watch and Sikazwe had to be escorted from the field by security officials. One of the match officials shoved a Tunisian official during the commotion, stoking the situation.
There were then suggestions that the game would be restarted and reports that organizers had burst into Mali’s post-game news conference and told coach Mohamed Magassouba that his players had to get back on the field to play another three minutes.
Officials gathered on the field about 30 minutes after the game ended and were seen in discussions. Mali players also came back out but Tunisia refused to re-start the game.
“The players were in their ice baths and then he (the referee) asked us to come back out,“ said Tunisia coach Kebaier. “In 30 years in this business I have never seen anything like it.”
There was no official word from the Confederation of African Football on any decisions made over the game and it appeared the 1-0 win for Mali would stand.
Sikazwe was temporarily suspended by CAF in 2018 following accusations of match-fixing for his performance in charge of an African club game. The Zambian was an official at the World Cup in Russia earlier that year and refereed two games there.
Ibrahima Kone scored from the penalty spot for Mali’s goal after a handball by Ellyes Skhiri. Tunisia was awarded a late penalty, also for handball and after a video review by Sikazwe. Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri had his powerful penalty saved. Mali held on with 10 men after Toure’s red card, although not for as long as they should have had to with Sikazwe ending it early.
The violence in Buea led to more questions over why organizers chose it as a suitable base for African Cup teams considering the volatile situation. Buea, the regional capital, has seen many deadly clashes because of an insurrection by English-speaking separatists. More than 3,000 people have been killed in the fighting across the western part of Cameroon since it erupted five years ago.
There was a heavy police and military presence outside the Limbe Stadium and a military helicopter hovered overhead during the Mali-Tunisia game.
-AFP
Equatorial Guinea edged past Liberia with a 1-0 win in their Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier, thanks to a first-half penalty from Iban Salvador.
The forward converted from the spot in the 34th minute after Sampson Dweh fouled Salvador inside the box.
This result moves Equatorial Guinea into second place in the group with four points from three matches, while Liberia remains rooted to the bottom with just one point from their three outings.
Algeria leads the group with a perfect nine points after three matches, and Togo is third with two points.
Despite Liberia pushing for an equalizer in the second half, they were unable to break down the Equatorial Guinean defense.
Several substitutions from both teams couldn’t alter the outcome, with Equatorial Guinea holding on for the vital three points.
Mozambique and Eswatini share the spoils in 1-1 draw
Mozambique and Eswatini played out a 1-1 draw in their AFCON Group I qualifier, with both teams finding the net in the second half.
Mozambique took the lead in the 73rd minute through Stanley Ratifo, who slotted home from close range following a well-worked move.
Eswatini equalized just seven minutes later through Thubelihle Mavuso, whose left-footed effort found the top corner.
The result keeps Mozambique at the top of the group with five points from three matches, while Eswatini remain at the bottom with just one point.
Mali and Guinea Bissau, who each have games in hand, are closely trailing.
Both sides had chances to win the game late on, but neither could capitalize, leaving the group wide open as the teams prepare for their next fixtures.
Zambia and Chad play out goalless stalemate
Zambia and Chad played out a 0-0 draw in their Group G encounter at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Despite dominating possession, Chipolopolo failed to find the back of the net against a resilient Chad side, who were content to soak up pressure and counterattack when possible.
With this result, Zambia remains second in the group with four points from three matches, behind Cote d’Ivoire who lead with six points and a game in hand.
Chad, with two points, is third, and Sierra Leone is at the bottom with one point.
Zambia came closest to scoring when Francisco Mwepu hit the post in the 84th minute, but Chad’s defence held firm to secure a valuable point away from home.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria survived a scare from the Mediterranean Knights of Libya before eventually securing a 1-0 win in Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series in Uyo on Friday evening.
The Libyans proved a hard nut to crack especially with their goalkeeper, Murad Abu Bakr Al Wuheesi who was in his best elements and made several saves.
Time after time, he frustrated many goal-scoring opportunities that were opened to the Super Eagles.
Also the Super Eagles missed many scoring chances that got the spectators edgy and Coach Austin Eguavoen frustrated. The first scoring opportunity was in the 10th minute when a rebound found Alex Iwobi, but his shot was smothered by the Libyan goalkeeper.
Six minutes later, it was Victor Boniface’s turn to squander another goal opportunity. Next was the skipper, William Troost-Ekong getting another rebound, but he shot wide.
With the clock ticking and the Benin Republic in a simultaneous duel with Rwanda coasting comfortably home with a 3-0 defeat of Rwanda, the Super Eagles had to do everything to score against Libya.
At that point, Benin are taken over the leadership of Group D having amassed six points as against Nigeria’s five in a live table as the matches were on, desperation set in.
In the 83rd minute, Ademola Lookman found the net, but his effort was ruled offside. Four minutes later, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru connected a cross from Moses Simon to shoot Nigeria back into the top of Group D.
Dele-Bashiru was the one who helped Nigeria salvage a point in their World Cup qualifying duel with South Africa in Uyo last June.
Nigeria now travel to Libya to face Libya in a matchday encounter on Tuesday.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon roared to the top of Group J of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers on Friday afternoon after a commanding 4-1 victory over Kenya saw them go two points above Zimbabwe who overcame Namibia on Thursday.
Veteran goal poacher, Vincent Aboubakar opened the floodgates in the 8th minute with a converted penalty before Martin Hongla, Byan Mbeumo as well as Christian Bassogog completed the rout.
In Uyo, the Super Eagles left it till late to secure a full haul of points after being held by Libya throughout the match before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru eventually found the all-important winner to secure the victory for the 2013 African champions.
The result sees Nigeria lead Group D with a point ahead of Benin who demolished Rwanda 3-0 in a simultaneous match thanks to goals by Steve Mounie, Andreas Hountondji as well as Hassane Imourane.
The Ugandan Cranes continue in their fine form as they laboured to a 1-0 victory over South Sudan. The result puts them in a good position as they battle for the top spot with South Africa who play host to Congo.
In Cairo, The Pharaohs continued their dominance of Group C when they comfortably cruised past Mauritania by 2-0.
Goals by Trézéguet as well as the ever-green Mohamed Salah ensured the record African champions continue their winning streak.
Meanwhile, The Gambia managed to secure a crucial away point when they shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw with Madagascar.
The result still puts them within a touching distance of run-away Group A leaders, Tunisia who lead the pack with four points ahead of their match against Comoros.
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