Tunisian press attacks Africa Cup of Nations' "scandal"

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The Tunisian press reacted with rage on Thursday following Tunisia's odd loss to Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations match the day before, in which the referee blew the final whistle twice before full time.

The decision by Zambian official Janny Sikazwe was "a shock to Tunisians and Africans," according to the Arabic-language Al-Chourouk daily, which said it "would not happen even in street football matches."

Sikazwe signaled the conclusion of the match after 85 minutes, then again after 89 minutes and 47 seconds, despite the fact that three minutes of added time had been set.

Tunisians were enraged after a frantic search for an equalizer against a Mali team reduced to ten men.

Only Mali obeyed when the teams were instructed that the match had to resume.

Tunisia's players were already in ice baths, according to coach Mondher Kebaier, whose squad could face punishment if they do not return to the field.

Sikazwe's refereeing, according to the Assabah daily, "covered Tunis in a historic darkness by ending the match twice," labeling it a "historic scandal by any measure." It continued by saying that Mali deserved to win, but Sikazwe was chastised for what it dubbed a "historic injustice and farce."

The French-language newspaper La Presse published an article entitled "Sikazwe, the shame," and described him as a "catastrophe."