It is not Sikazwe’s first mess: a red one to Ramos, corruption …

Janny Sikazwe has gone from near anonymity to being one of the sporting names of 2022 in a matter of minutes. The referee whistled the end of Tunisia-Mali in the 85th minute. The footballers claimed that he had not finished. He resumed it and whistled, again, in 89 ‘. It had not reached 90 and the changes and the VAR were clamoring for a high discount time. Subsequently, an attempt was made to continue the match once more, but Tunisia did not even show up. An error that will go down in history, in a competition of such caliber as the African Cup. A performance that leads to think that the referee was a novice. Nothing is further from reality, he has a great international career, has directed finals and was highly trusted by FIFA. Not everything is rosy: did not catch a good performance in the 2016 Mundialito and was sanctioned two months for suspicions of corruption in the African Champions League.

The great sounded episode of his past happened in the final of the Club World Cup between Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers in 2016. The whites, completely blocked, needed extra time to beat their rival, presumably of a lower category. Moments prior to the end of the 90 regulatory minutes, Sergio Ramos made a forceful foul on an opponent, which could have cost him the second yellow. Janny Sikazwe, however, did not remove it after a few measures of uncertainty. The Japanese team protested angrily and the stadium was left with the feeling that the referee had made a serious mistake that could end up being momentous in the match.

Finally, Madrid lifted the trophy. Days later, Sikazwe himself gave an interview for the FIlGoal portal, in which he admitted the error and explained why he had not expelled Sergio Ramos: “It was only due to a lack of communication between my assistant and I: he indicated the fault and told me through the earpiece: ‘No card.’ However, I understood ‘with card ‘It was just that: a lack of understanding. ” He refers to the fact that at the time of the action he was carrying the card in his hand to show it to the former Real Madrid captain, but suddenly he kept it and did not sanction him. The play would have brought the red for Ramos and a drastic change in the game. However, as he approached ‘4’, his assistant repeated that the action was not worthy of further punishment.

FIFA trust and corruption

Janny Sikazwe’s career gained momentum with the intention of FIFA that Africa be represented, at referee level, in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The referee, chosen for this great step for the continent, had to go to Chile for an intensive course, organized by FIFA itself, to train officials at the highest level. First of all, he was already a regular at the African Cup of Nations, where he directed the 2017 final. Also in World Cup qualifying rounds and the African Champions League.

Later, his dream of refereeing at a World Cup came true. It did, indeed, in Russia. The Belgium-Panama whistled and took out eight cards. It was discussed, but his performance had no impact on the result: 3-0 for Hazard and company. Also in the group stage the triumph of Poland by zero goals to one before Japan. He did not reach the qualifying rounds, although his participation was a revolution for the continent. So much so that in Zambia they received him like a hero and kept him on landing at the airport for what he had achieved.

Sikazwe also has experience as a VAR referee and has just whistled the Arab Cup. A collegiate with a long history, which adds more traumatic episodes. In a qualifying match for the African Cup 2016, Salah was left alone to score and give the victory to his team, who tied one against Nigeria. The protagonist of these lines marked the end to the disbelief of the Egyptians. Again, the same nuance: the big problem is that the established time had not been reached.

But probably his worst sports window happened in 2018. Back then He was suspended for accusations of corruption for his arbitration in the duel between Esperance and Primiero Agosto of the African Champions League. Sikazwe whistled a penalty for Esperance, minutes after disallowing a goal to his rival for an alleged foul on the goalkeeper. Both plays gave rise to doubts and the CAF opted to undertake an investigation and subsequently punish him provisionally. This happened in November 2018, but FIFA lifted the sentence only two months later..

The story of a referee who will go around the world today. It remains to be seen if his controversial performance takes its toll on him in the future or in this very African Cup. At the moment, his decision is incomprehensible. It is unknown if he did not stop the clock at rest, he had a time taken that did not correspond to the real one … Images have been leaked in which in 79 ‘, he points to the bench that he added five minutes. If so, everything seems to indicate that his chronometer was ten minutes behind. Be that as it may, his performance will be written in football books, despite not being his first scandal. Janny Sikazwe, the first great protagonist of the tournament.