Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe on Sunday starred for Zambia after he was given to handle the final match at the club World Cup which saw European champions Real Madrid steal an extra time 4 – 2 win over Kashima Antlers.
However, Africa’s top referee stole the headlines after the game which saw Cristiano Ronaldo score a hat-trick as he came under unwarranted criticism for a late decision on Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos.
Karim Benzema had put Madrid ahead in the 9th minute but Antlers came back with two goals but the Ronaldo helped level matters.
With the game headed for extra time Ramos who was already on a yellow card stopped an opposition counter attack to which Sikazwe blew for a foul and seemed to reach for the yellow card.
Sikazwe gave himself enough time to think about and decided otherwise.
https://youtu.be/-hTJW3ZD9jw
The Kapiri Mposhi based whistle man has come under unfair criticism as the yellow card decision was border-line going by the position of the foul and the contact made by Ramos with the attacker.
After the decision, Madrid went on to win the game in extra time with two goals from the Ballon d’Or winner.
That was a crucial moment for janny and his career. There is a video where Ronald and Ramos were laughing about janny with ramos demonstrating that was a yellow card.l don’t know why janny has to change his mind,why?
It’s Zambian thing, Jani didn’t want to spoil the game. Everything else Sikazwe did by book, except that of putting back yellow card in his pocket. Just when I realized he changed his mind, I shut the computer and continued with morning sleep.
I don’t even know who won game.
Sometimes in life you only get one chance. That could be it. He has to prove himself all over again to get to the top. indecision is not good for a ref. Remember the Cameroon game and how we criticised the ref.
With the world cup coming up he should have performed without blemish in this game. Anyway we are still extremely proud of him.
This is what happens when one fails to manage pressure. It was a high level game with the whole world watching and Janny was at the center stage to manage the affairs. This has happened to even great people- To be success in this highly charge world, One needs to manage pressure consistently with minor mistakes. However, due respect should go to Janny. Life is full of ups and downs. Its only those who dare to fail that succeed.
Janny perfomed under massive pressure, and didnt stop anyone frome scoring!
In Zambia,he flashes red cards like no man’s business.The question is,why didn’t he do the same this time around?
That was a big blunder on Janny’s part. These guys dont forget easily like Zambians (Africans). He will be lucky if he will be given another chance. He failed at the last minute. You could see the Real Madrid players laughing behind his back!
Referees excercise discretion and restraint. Depending on the circumstance referees are encouraged to ensure teams remain with full compliment of Players unless it goes to the worst. Ramos was already on a card and in such cases refs are to apply restraint and not be ‘card excited’ by flashing cards all over especially considering the stakes in the Match. Him seemingly reaching for a card doesnt mean he wanted to pull it out,at times Refs communicate with actions more than words and that could have been a note to Ramos tand served as a last warning. I GUARANTEE it, Sikazwe will be at AFCON and World Cup Russia. Even the great Italian Colina made mistakes at some points. Dont forget that Sikazwe was outstanding in his first game at the Tournament nowander he got the Final.
Janny, job well done. Some people are making it like they are perfect. That was just a minor blip. Didnt spoil the game. Unless you are anti-real madrid.