Retired Zambian FIFA referee Janny Sikazwe will officiate his farewell match in the Zambian Super League this Saturday when NAPSA Stars host Red Arrows in a week 18 matchup at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, the Football Association of Zambia has announced.
“Sikazwe’s career comes to a close this weekend after 23 years of officiating in which he has officiated at two FIFA World Cups, U17 and U20 FIFA World Cups, five Africa Cup of Nations, the FIFA Club World Cups among other tournaments,” wrote FAZ in a Facebook post.
Sikazwe, who is Zambia’s most successful referee, announced his retirement from active refereeing at the age of 43 on December 23, 2022, at the Football House in Lusaka where stated that he decided to retire in order to provide room for younger referees to take over the reins from him because he is not getting any younger.
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He was one of the African referees at the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup where he was in charge of the match between Canada and Belgium, and he is the only Zambian to have officiated at the tournament twice—in 2018 and in 2022.
In 2016, Sikazwe was selected to officiate the FIFA Club World Cup final between Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers, making him the only Zambian to referee at all FIFA competitions in history.
He also became the first Zambian to take charge of an Africa Cup of Nations final in 2017 when he officiated Cameroon’s 2-1 win over Egypt.
With his last match now set for this Saturday, Sikazwe has been handed what many would call the “last dance” to bid farewell to the fans.
