Tunisia have appealed to replay their AFCON Group F match against Mali after the game ended in a controversial 1-0 defeat.
Recall that Mali were 1-0 up through Ibrahima Kone’s spot kick when referee Janny Sikazwe blew the final whistle early.
The Zambian referee blew the final whistle after just 85 minutes before restarting play for four minutes but blew again with just 89 minutes and 43 seconds of the clash gone despite lengthy VAR checks for Kone’s penalty and a Tunisia penalty spotkick that Wahbi Khazri missed.
However,Mali coach Mohammed Magassouba’s post-match press conference was later interrupted as it was announced the final three minutes of the game would be played.
40 minutes later the Mali players and officials returned to the pitch but the Tunisian players refused as they had reportedly already had their ice baths.
Tunisia’s refusal to play the remainder of the game led to Sikazwe blowing his whistle once again to call off the match,meaning the 1-0 victory for Mali stood.
Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier slammed the decision as inexplicable and the nation have now called for the game to be replayed.
