The man famous for ending a crucial AFCON match five minutes early, Jenny Sikazwe from Zambia has announced his retirement from refereeing.
Sikazwe was in charge of Belgium’s controversial 1-0 Group Stage win over Canada at World Cup, and like South African Victor Gomes, ends a glorious career that has seen him officiate Africa Cup of Nations and CAF club competition finals.
Although he has made his decision, Sikazwe will not be lost forever in the game, at least, that’s according to Football Association of Zambia referees manager Aziph Banda who told the Daily Mail “he is retiring but he will play a role in the development of refereeing in Zambia since he has vast knowledge.”
Sikazwe was reportedly omitted from the referees’ list for the season in Zambia and it remains to be seen if Zambian FA will utiliSe his services in the development of young officials as claimed by Banda.
Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe blew the full time whistle at 85 minutes then restarted the game and blew it again in the 89th minute.
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) January 12, 2022
The game is over now. Mali have won 1-0 against Tunisia thanks to a penalty scored by Ibrahima Kone. Drama. #AFCON2021 https://t.co/pfDCLy414c
Mali and Tunisia's #AFCON2021 match was prematurely ended by referee Janny Sikazwe - twice - much to the fury of the North Africans whose officials stormed on to the pitch in protest ⤵️
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 13, 2022
🔗: https://t.co/Yl7IzhgSma pic.twitter.com/GAt8g0srI2
Sikazwe follows the footsteps of South African referee Gomes who also announced his retirement after the World Cup in Qatar. Gomes has been an international referee since 2011 and has been awarded PSL referee of the season twice in his illustrious career.
He refereed AFCON 2019 and 2021, and also officiated the 2021 final between Egypt and Senegal In 2018, he was hailed by the South African Football Association after he rejected and reported an attempted bribe of over R300 000. Gomes had been approached and offered the sum of money to fix a CAF Confederation Cup match between Nigerian side Plateau United and Algerian side USM Alger.
"It's either I'm stubborn or stupid......" #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 Referee Victor Gomes in explaining his decision to retire from refereeing on #MSW.
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) December 20, 2022
Thank you MALUME for your incredible contribution to SA and global football.🙌🏾🥂🎖@VumaFM @SowetanLIVE @RISEfm943 pic.twitter.com/gOgPI3tDLl
