*Undated
After a controversial outing last time round, the Zambian referee is back appointed as video assistant at Morocco-Gabon, a duel in the battle for the lead in group C.
The eyes will undoubtedly be extra focused on the operations in the VAR station on Tuesday January 18th if an important decision has to be made.
Sikazwe initially whistled almost five minutes early during Mali-Tunisia. After being pointed out to this blunder, the Zambian whistled 13 seconds before the end of the official playing time.
This was all done while there was enough reason to add time. Sikazwe was harder to persuade this time. Only after everyone had been inside for a long time, it was decided to play the remainder.
However, the Tunisian players found it mustard after the meal and did not come back on the field. There were still protests against the match, but the African Football Association rejected it.
Security staff had to surround Sikazwe, who refereed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and his two officials at the Limbe Stadium in Cameroon in order to keep angry Tunisia staff away from them.
There have been suggestions Sikazwe's double error came after he stopped the match for a five-minute water break, but failed to pause his watch, while others say Sikazwe believed the extra four minutes 43 seconds played after his initial full-time whistle was stoppage time.
Tunisia's coaches, however, were seemingly making a valid point with their initial protests about an early finish, with two lengthy VAR checks also taking place during the Group F clash. That is all without mentioning ignoring VAR advice telling him to overturn the extremely harsh red card he gave to Mali substitute El Bilal Toure.
A representative of the referees at the CAF has now explained the reason for Sikazwe's bizarre behaviour. “He suffered a sunstroke which influenced his decisions during the match. He was also taken to hospital afterwards.” Hopefully the sun won’t reach the VAR booth of Sikazwe.
Moreover, Tunisia has now taken sporting revenge after the questionable end of their first game. On Sunday, it won 4-0 against Mauritania.