Mike Sonko Moves to Court Over Harambee Stars’ Loss to Madagascar, Seeks Suspension of Semi-Finals
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has filed a case in Cairo challenging Harambee Stars’ controversial elimination from the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals by Madagascar.
Source: Facebook
The petition, lodged within 48 hours as required, has been served to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Madagascar team, and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
In his affidavit sworn on Sunday, August 24, Sonko is seeking interim orders to suspend the penalty shootout results in which Madagascar edged out Kenya, arguing that two legitimate goals scored by the national team were wrongfully disallowed.
The game was played at the Kasarani Stadium on Friday, August 22.
He also wants the match officials suspended and the semi-final clash between Madagascar and Sudan on August 26 halted until his complaint is determined.
“I swear this affidavit urging that the application for interim provisional measures herein be allowed as prayed,” Sonko stated, insisting that the integrity of the tournament is at stake.
In his protest letter, Sonko’s lawyer, Kennedy Oduor Wanyanga, accused the referees of outright bias, saying they illegally disallowed two goals without VAR review or proper consultation.
He urged CAF not to homologate the match and to review referee reports, match recordings, and VAR footage before making a fair ruling.
"The match officials officiating the said game wrongfully and illegally disallowed two goals scored by the Kenyan team without reviewing the same through the VAR or consulting the parties, team captains and match officials or the decision at all, as is expected of a prudent officiating match officials," the letter read in part.
Further, Oduor warned that failure to act within 24 hours would force his team to escalate the matter to CAF’s Disciplinary Board.
"Take notice that should we fail to receive your written decision on this protest within 24 hours from the date and time of receipt of this protest, we have firm instructions to lodge a formal complaint as envisaged under Article 10 and 11 of the CAF Statute," Oduor added.
Meanwhile, Kenya exited the tournament after a hard-fought clash, with fans and players alike expressing mixed reactions to the officiating.
The case now adds a dramatic twist to CHAN 2025, leaving football authorities, teams, and supporters anxiously awaiting the court’s determination.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
