Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has petitioned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to annul the outcome of Kenya’s CHAN 2025 quarter-final clash against Madagascar, citing what he terms as biased and unlawful officiating.
In the petition filed under Article 43 of the CAF Statute, Sonko through lawyer Arnold Oginga argues that Harambee Stars were denied a fair chance after two goals were disallowed without recourse to VAR or consultation with team captains and coaches. He insists that the conduct of the officials undermined the principles of fairness and integrity in football.
“The conduct by the match officials in the Kenya versus Madagascar quarter-final game is greatly prejudicial to the Republic of Kenya and contravenes the spirit of sportsmanship, loyalty, integrity, and ethics,” the petition reads in part.
Sonko further accuses referees, assistant referees, commissioners, and other officials of acting jointly to deny Kenya a rightful place in the semi-finals, arguing that their actions breached CAF’s Code of Conduct and Statutes. He is asking CAF to nullify the penalty shootout results, reinstate Kenya’s two disallowed goals, and award the match to Harambee Stars. In the alternative, he wants CAF to order a replay of the controversial quarter-final.
The petition also seeks disciplinary action against the referee and other match officials who presided over the game, with Sonko maintaining that their conduct was unlawful and prejudicial to Kenya’s chances in the tournament.
